The valley was silent, save for the distant rush of the waterfall. Bai Lu stood before Wang Shi, her sword gleaming in the moonlight, her expression unreadable.
"Now that you can sense and absorb spiritual energy, it is time to learn how to wield it," she said. "There are many paths a cultivator can take—alchemy, formations, talisman arts—but the foundation of all combat lies in energy control and martial techniques."
Wang Shi's pulse quickened. He had seen cultivators wield techniques before—blades that cut through the air with unseen force, palm strikes that shattered boulders. Now, he would take his first step toward that power.
Bai Lu gestured toward the lake. "Everything begins with circulation. Before you can unleash spiritual energy, you must guide it properly within your body. That is why the first technique you will learn is the Breath of Flowing Qi."
Wang Shi nodded, listening intently.
"This technique refines your control," she continued. "Most novices waste energy, releasing it in bursts without stability. Flowing Qi is different—it teaches you to maintain movement, to keep energy circulating even while attacking or defending."
She stepped forward. "Sit."
Wang Shi obeyed, crossing his legs as he had done countless times before.
Bai Lu knelt beside him, her voice quiet yet firm. "Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Feel the energy you've gathered within you."
He inhaled slowly, the familiar warmth of spiritual energy stirring in his core.
"Now," she continued, "instead of letting it settle, guide it. Slowly. Like a river flowing in a steady current."
At first, it felt unnatural. Spiritual energy always settled once he absorbed it—holding it in motion was like trying to keep a fire flickering in shifting winds. But he persisted, following Bai Lu's instructions.
Minutes stretched into an hour.
Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. The strain wasn't physical, yet his body felt tense, as if he were balancing on the edge of a blade.
Then, suddenly—
The energy moved.
Not in bursts or fragments, but in a steady, circulating rhythm. A slow, continuous flow, like water rolling through a stream.
His eyes snapped open.
Bai Lu studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Good. You've taken the first step."
Wang Shi exhaled, realizing only now how much effort it had taken. "What's next?"
Bai Lu's lips curved slightly. "Next, we test how well you can hold your ground."
She stood and took several steps back, raising her sword once more.
"This will not be a lesson in theory," she said. "You will learn by doing."
Wang Shi straightened, his hands clenching into fists. He wasn't sure what she meant—until Bai Lu moved.
A blur of silver. A single step forward.
Then, a burst of force.
It wasn't an attack. Not yet. But the sheer pressure from Bai Lu's stance alone was enough to press against Wang Shi's chest, forcing him to brace his footing.
"Circulate your energy," she instructed. "If you cannot maintain it while under pressure, it is meaningless."
Wang Shi gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus. The Flowing Qi technique had felt effortless moments ago, but now, under Bai Lu's aura, the energy within him wavered, flickering dangerously.
Bai Lu's sword moved again—another shift in stance, another ripple of force.
The weight against him increased.
Sweat dripped down his brow, his breathing ragged. The energy inside him nearly collapsed.
He closed his eyes.
Flow.
Don't force it. Don't fight it.
Let it move.
The weight didn't lessen, but as he surrendered to the technique instead of resisting, his energy stabilized, flowing like a steady current once more.
When he opened his eyes, Bai Lu had lowered her sword.
"That is enough for today."
Wang Shi exhaled deeply, barely realizing how drained he felt. But despite his exhaustion, a flicker of satisfaction burned in his chest.
He had taken another step.
And he was ready for more.