For the next five years, Yuan dedicated himself to learning the ways of exorcism. Every day was a grueling routine, but with each passing day, his strength grew. Bai Zhi, the famous exorcist Yuan had hired, was strict but patient. He didn't believe in coddling, and every lesson was designed to push Yuan beyond his limits.
Bai Zhi's first lesson was on the most fundamental aspect of exorcism: spirit energy. Yuan learned that every living being, whether human or ghost, had an invisible energy flowing within them. This energy, called spirit energy, was the key to exorcism. It was what allowed a person to fight against ghosts and use powerful techniques. Bai Zhi explained that those who could harness spirit energy could channel it into various techniques, but there was a catch, spirit energy could be easily depleted, and replenishing it was no easy task.
"There are many ways to increase your spirit energy," Bai Zhi explained one morning as they stood in a clearing outside a quiet village. The wind blew gently, and the atmosphere was serene. Bai Zhi's voice, however, was steady and serious.
"Some people meditate for years, seeking to connect with the natural world and draw energy from the earth itself. Others practice intense breathing techniques. But…" Bai Zhi paused, his gaze sharpening, "my way is different. It's dangerous, but it's the fastest method."
Yuan listened carefully, his eyes fixed on Bai Zhi, eager to learn more.
"The technique is called Spirit Demolition," Bai Zhi said, his voice heavy with meaning. "It's the act of absorbing the ghost's very essence the spirit energy it carries. You kill the ghost, and you also absorb the energy it holds. It sounds easy, but it's far from it. Many exorcists fail because they can't handle the overwhelming amount of spirit energy. You must learn to control it, or it will consume you."
Yuan nodded, understanding the gravity of the task ahead.
For the next few weeks, Bai Zhi introduced him to the basics of this terrifying technique. They would hunt ghosts in the nearby forests and abandoned villages, always carefully observing and studying the creatures that lurked in the shadows. Bai Zhi would explain how to approach each ghost, how to fight, and, most importantly, how to absorb its spirit energy.
Bai Zhi's training was more visual than verbal. He demonstrated each technique with perfect precision, slaying ghosts in swift, graceful motions that made it look easy. But Yuan quickly realized it was far from simple. Bai Zhi was showing him how to channel his spirit energy, to focus his mind and soul into the task of defeating the ghost.
Focus the energy… like the flow of a river, Bai Zhi would instruct as Yuan attempted to strike a ghost. Yuan's movements were initially clumsy, and the first few times, he only felt exhausted, unable to gather the strength to absorb the spirit energy properly. But Bai Zhi was patient, guiding him through each misstep, showing him where to focus and how to properly direct his energy.
One evening, after a particularly intense lesson, Bai Zhi spoke to Yuan in a more personal tone.
"You have potential, Yuan. But you must understand this: Spirit Demolition is not just about power. It's about control. You must have mastery over your own emotions, your own mind, or the energy will overwhelm you."
Yuan took those words to heart. Over the years, he grew more adept at controlling the spirit energy and using it to strengthen his body. His senses became sharper, and he could feel the faintest tremors in the air, sensing the presence of ghosts before they appeared. The longer he trained, the more in tune he became with the energy that flowed through him.
In the quiet moments between training sessions, Bai Zhi would show Yuan visualizations—mental exercises to help him focus. He'd describe ghostly encounters from his own experiences, guiding Yuan to picture the spirits in his mind before he encountered them in the real world. These mental images were crucial in preparing Yuan to fight in the most dangerous situations.
Five years passed in what seemed like the blink of an eye. Yuan's progress was slow but steady. He was no longer the weak boy who had first asked for an exorcist's help. He had grown stronger, more confident, and, with Bai Zhi's guidance, had learned to harness the power of Spirit Demolition. But the journey wasn't over. There was still so much to learn.