The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over the island. Xiao Yan stood in a clearing at the edge of the forest, arms crossed as he surveyed the area. The natural qi of the land flowed harmoniously here, forming a subtle vortex that he intended to use as the foundation for his dojo.
"This spot will do," he said to himself, nodding thoughtfully.
Behind him, Xiaojin fluttered down from a tree branch, landing on his shoulder with a triumphant chirp. Xiao Gui waddled in circles at his feet, chasing a particularly persistent leaf, while Xiaolong lounged nearby, his tail idly thumping against the ground.
"For once, you're all behaving," Xiao Yan remarked, glancing at his companions.
Xiaojin puffed up its chest proudly, but the moment was short-lived. Xiaolong, deciding it was time to "help," leapt to his feet and bounded toward a stack of stones Xiao Yan had neatly arranged. With a single swipe of his tail, the pile scattered across the clearing.
"Xiaolong!" Xiao Yan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Those were meant to anchor the formation."
The dragon barked in reply, his expression somewhere between sheepish and unapologetic. Xiaojin, ever the opportunist, let out a squawk that sounded suspiciously like laughter.
"Laugh all you want," Xiao Yan said, pointing at the phoenix. "You're next if you start any trouble."
Xiaojin fluttered its wings innocently, as if to say, Who, me?
Xiao Yan sighed, sitting cross-legged in the center of the clearing. He extended his spiritual sense, guiding it along the natural currents of qi that converged here. Slowly, the scattered rocks and plants began to glow faintly, resonating with his energy.
"This formation will stabilize the qi flow," he murmured. "A foundation for the dojo—and a barrier to protect this land."
Xiao Gui, now perched on a nearby rock, watched with wide eyes as Xiao Yan manipulated the energy. Xiaojin and Xiaolong, however, had other ideas.
Xiaolong nudged a glowing rock with his snout, tilting his head as if to study it. The rock, responding to Xiao Yan's qi, trembled slightly before shooting several feet into the air.
Xiaolong barked in delight, chasing after it.
"Xiaolong, no—" Xiao Yan's voice was cut off as the dragon's tail swiped through the formation, sending several glowing lines of energy into chaos.
Xiaojin, not to be outdone, flapped its wings and sent a plume of golden flames at one of the formation markers, incinerating it on contact.
The clearing erupted into chaos as the qi, no longer stabilized, surged wildly. Xiao Yan rose to his feet, his calm demeanor cracking just enough to let out a weary sigh.
"Why do I even bother?" he muttered, extending his hands to reclaim control of the energy.
It took an hour to restore order to the clearing. By the time Xiao Yan reassembled the formation, the sun was beginning to set. Xiaolong lay sprawled in the grass, his tail twitching lazily, while Xiaojin perched atop a nearby rock, preening its feathers.
"You two are more trouble than you're worth," Xiao Yan said, shaking his head. "But I suppose I'd miss the chaos if you weren't here."
The faint glow of the formation pulsed steadily now, its energy weaving through the clearing in gentle waves. Xiao Yan knelt at its center, placing his hands on the ground as he channeled his qi.
The land responded eagerly, the formation's power sinking deep into the earth. The clearing seemed to breathe, the qi harmonizing perfectly with the natural energy of the island.
"It's done," Xiao Yan said, rising to his feet.
He glanced at the newly stabilized clearing, imagining the dojo that would one day stand here. It would be a place of learning, peace, and cultivation—a sanctuary in this chaotic world.
Xiaolong barked softly, nuzzling against Xiao Yan's side. Xiaojin hopped down from its perch, landing gracefully on his shoulder. Even Xiao Gui shuffled over, nudging his leg with its tiny head.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly, resting a hand on Xiaolong's head. "Thank you. For all your trouble, you've helped more than you realize."
As the stars emerged, Xiao Yan sat at the edge of the clearing, gazing up at the sky. His companions had settled down around him—Xiaolong curled up at his feet, Xiaojin perched on his shoulder, and Xiao Gui nestled in his lap.
"This place is beginning to feel like home," he murmured.
The island was quiet now, its natural rhythm restored. But Xiao Yan knew this peace wouldn't last forever. The world beyond this sanctuary was vast and unpredictable, and sooner or later, it would come knocking.
For now, though, he was content.
With the foundation of the dojo laid and the first steps toward protecting the island complete, Xiao Yan allowed himself a rare moment of stillness. The challenges ahead would be many, but he would face them as he always had—calmly, and with an unshakable resolve.