The early morning sun filtered through the dense canopy of trees, casting dappled light onto the training field. Lin Yulan stood at the edge, arms crossed, her eyes studying Lian Yaling's horse stance with the precision of a seasoned instructor. His legs were slightly bent, his feet firmly planted, yet a subtle tension radiated from his posture.
Approaching him quietly, Lin Yulan observed every detail, her sharp gaze missing nothing.
"Lian Yaling," she called, her voice soft, yet firm, carrying an unspoken authority. "Hold still."
Lian Yaling froze, beads of sweat forming on his brow. Lin Yulan knelt beside him, her presence calm but unwavering. With a practiced hand, she tapped his back lightly, offering a subtle but firm correction.
"Straighten your back," she instructed. "Your core must be engaged, but not stiff. Picture yourself as a tree rooted and unyielding, yet flexible in the wind."
Her words were measured, each syllable designed to guide him not just in technique, but in understanding the deeper principles of cultivation. She stepped back, observing as Lian Yaling adjusted his stance, aligning it with the clarity of her instruction.
"Breathe naturally," she continued, her tone becoming more instructional. "Your stance and your breathing must flow together. If it feels forced, you're holding tension that will disrupt your cultivation. Let it become as natural as your heartbeat."
Lian Yaling closed his eyes, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly. The strain in his stance gradually eased, and his body seemed to harmonize with the natural rhythm around him. Lin Yulan nodded in approval.
"Good. Continue until it becomes second nature," she instructed, her voice soft but resolute. She then retrieved a neatly wrapped portion of spirit deer meat from her storage ring. Handing it to him, she added, "At noon, cook this for your meal. Follow the steps I taught you yesterday. I'll return in the afternoon."
Lian Yaling bowed respectfully. "Understood, Master."
For a brief moment, Lin Yulan's expression softened before her gaze shifted toward the forest. "I'm heading to the mountain. There have been increased monster sightings, and I need to ensure they don't disturb us at night."
With that, she moved with the fluid grace of a shadow, disappearing into the trees.
Lin Yulan's journey to the mountain was swift and purposeful, each step calculated. The forest grew denser as she ascended, her senses sharpened, attuned to every rustle and distant roar of spirit beasts. When she reached a vantage point near the base of the mountain, she stopped and summoned her system interface, the translucent screen appearing before her.
Her remaining system points stood at 70. The Meridian Strengthening Pills, essential for enhancing her meridians and accelerating her spiritual qi absorption, required 500 points each. To procure two—one for herself and one for Lian Yaling she would need 1,000 points.
Lin Yulan clenched her fist, muttering to herself, "This will take time," but her resolve remained unwavering. She closed the interface and returned her focus to the task at hand.
Tier 1 and Tier 3 monsters roamed the area, their presence felt through disturbances in the spiritual energy. Lin Yulan unsheathed her sword, the blade faintly gleaming with ice qi. She moved with precision, each strike calculated and elegant, a deadly dance that was as efficient as it was lethal.
Hours passed as she hunted, collecting the valuable monster cores from the defeated creatures. Each core pulsed with a faint energy, not only useful within the system but also valuable for crafting or trade.
By noon, Lin Yulan had accumulated a substantial number of cores. She opened her system interface once again, the points now rising to 1,500. Though her goal was closer in reach, a sense of unease lingered. The number of monsters in the area had increased far more than she had anticipated. While this meant more resources, it also suggested an imbalance in the region's spiritual energy.
Back at the training field, Lian Yaling continued his practice. His master's corrections had made an immediate difference. With his stance now steady and his breathing more controlled, he felt an unfamiliar warmth stir within his dantian. It was faint, but unmistakable a sign of progress. While it wasn't enough to awaken his blood qi, the sensation filled him with hope.
"Two more days," he whispered, his voice laced with determination. "At this pace, I can awaken my blood qi."
At noon, as instructed, Lian Yaling paused his training to prepare the spirit deer meat. With careful hands, he followed Lin Yulan's guidance, seasoning and cooking the meat. The rich aroma filled the air, and as he ate, he felt the nourishment settle deep within him, reenergizing him for the continued practice ahead.
He resumed his training with renewed vigor, his focus unshaken by the task at hand.
Lin Yulan returned in the late afternoon, her figure emerging from the shadows of the forest. Her robe bore the marks of battle—a torn sleeve and a few specks of blood—but her expression radiated satisfaction.
As she approached the training field, her gaze found Lian Yaling, who was deep in practice. His movements had become more fluid, his focus sharper. A faint smile tugged at the corners of Lin Yulan's lips.
"A good student," she murmured to herself.
Lian Yaling, noticing her return, straightened and bowed deeply. "Master, welcome back."
Lin Yulan nodded, a rare smile gracing her lips. "You've done well today. I see improvement in both your posture and your focus. How do you feel?"
"I felt a warmth in my dantian," Lian Yaling replied, excitement lighting up his voice. "I think I'm close to awakening my blood qi."
"Good," Lin Yulan said, her approval evident in her gaze. "Continue at your own pace. Don't rush hastening the process will only hinder your progress."
Lian Yaling bowed again, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thank you, Master. I won't disappoint you."
She glanced at the forest behind her, her thoughts lingering on the unusually high number of monsters. For now, she decided not to burden her disciple with these concerns. Instead, she resolved to keep a closer watch on the area
As the sun dipped below the horizon, master and disciple prepared for the night, both driven by their respective goals and the promise of growth that lay ahead.