The night deepened, and the stars hung like scattered jewels above the campsite. Liang sat cross-legged by the dying embers of the fire, the soft hum of Qi resonating through his core. He couldn't stop thinking about the system's latest message:
Potential Trait Detected: Elemental Affinity. Assess for Details?
Liang hesitated before mentally selecting Yes.
Assessing…
Affinity Confirmed: Fire.
Note: Affinity unlocks pathways to specialized techniques. Further cultivation is required for mastery.
A surge of heat washed over him, as if the knowledge itself awakened something dormant. Fire. The thought both thrilled and unnerved him. He had seen what flames could do—consume, destroy, and leave nothing but ash. Was this his destiny?
"Lost in thought?" Master Yuan's voice broke through the silence.
Liang looked up to find the elder watching him, his sharp gaze glinting in the firelight.
"I… I think I have a fire affinity," Liang admitted.
Yuan arched an eyebrow, then nodded slowly. "Interesting. Affinities are rare gifts. They allow cultivators to harmonize with a specific element, amplifying their abilities. But they're also a double-edged sword."
"What do you mean?"
"Fire is powerful but volatile," Yuan said. "It responds to passion, anger, and ambition—but without control, it will consume you as easily as your enemies. You must learn balance."
Liang swallowed hard, the weight of Yuan's words settling over him. "How do I start?"
Yuan smirked faintly. "With discipline." He tossed a small bundle of sticks into Liang's lap. "Your next lesson begins now. You'll use Qi to ignite these without touching them directly. No shortcuts, no Azure Bloom tricks."
Liang frowned. "Right now? I'm exhausted."
"An enemy won't wait for you to be rested," Yuan replied. "If you want to survive, you'll push past your limits."
Liang bit back a groan and set the sticks in front of him. Closing his eyes, he reached inward, summoning the ember of Qi in his core. He visualized it growing into a flame, then willed it toward his hand.
The air around him warmed, and a faint spark flickered over his palm before sputtering out.
"Again," Yuan said, his tone sharp.
Liang gritted his teeth and tried again, his frustration mounting with each failure. The sparks came and went, taunting him.
"Stop forcing it," Yuan snapped. "Fire isn't born from brute strength. It's born from focus and intent. Feel the flame. Become it."
Liang took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm. He closed his eyes again, imagining the warmth of a campfire on a cold night—the gentle crackle of wood, the steady glow of embers.
The Qi in his core responded, flowing more smoothly this time. He guided it toward the sticks, and a spark leaped from his hand. The dry wood caught fire, a small but steady flame flickering to life.
Liang opened his eyes, a mix of relief and pride washing over him. "I did it!"
Yuan nodded approvingly. "Good. That's the first step. But don't celebrate too soon. Maintaining the flame is just as important as igniting it."
The rest of the night passed in grueling practice. Yuan pushed Liang to keep the fire burning, to control its size and intensity. Each success was followed by a new challenge, and by the time dawn broke, Liang was thoroughly spent.
Task Complete: Ignite Flame Using Qi.
Skill Unlocked: Ember Spark (Basic Fire Control).
Liang stared at the system notification, a weary but satisfied smile tugging at his lips. He was making progress, step by step.
"Rest while you can," Yuan said, tossing him a waterskin. "Tomorrow, we head deeper into the wildlands. Your real trials are only beginning."
Liang nodded, a flicker of determination in his eyes. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he was ready to face it. With the Azure Bloom and his newfound affinity, he felt the first true spark of hope.
The path of cultivation was long and perilous, but for the first time, he believed he could walk it.