After their agreement was made, Yuan Jin and Hu Xue began the first stage of the Yin-Yang Cultivation Method: energy synchronization. This was the most fundamental yet also the most difficult stage, as even the slightest imbalance could lead to the destruction of their meridians.
Aether stood in front of them, observing closely. "Yin-Yang cultivation is not just about merging energy, but also about adjusting the rhythm of your souls to each other. You must understand how your partner's energy works and align yourself with it."
Hu Xue nodded. "I'm ready."
Yuan Jin also strengthened his resolve. He knew this wasn't just about gaining a new power, but also about achieving a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him.
They sat cross-legged facing each other, their palms pressed together. Immediately, their energies began to resonate. The cold blue aura of Yuan Jin swirled in the air, attempting to merge with the golden flames surrounding Hu Xue.
However, the moment their energies touched, a small explosion occurred. Yuan Jin was pushed backward, while Hu Xue remained in place, only slightly surprised.
"You're too defensive," Hu Xue said, narrowing her eyes. "Your Yin energy is trying to reject my Yang. If you don't let it in, how can we synchronize?"
Yuan Jin sighed. He knew that he had always been cautious in battle, never truly allowing another's energy to enter his body. But to complete this cultivation, he had to learn to trust Hu Xue.
Aether smirked. "Now you understand. Again. This time, let your energy flow without fear."
Yuan Jin sat back down and pressed his hands against Hu Xue's once more. This time, he did not try to resist. He allowed the heat of the Yang energy to enter his body, while his Yin energy flowed more freely toward Hu Xue.
The sensation was strange. He felt an intense heat surge inside him, like a burning sun from within. But oddly enough, his Yin energy began to adjust, balancing the heat with its coolness.
Hu Xue felt the same, but in reverse. The cold energy from Yuan Jin entered her, yet instead of extinguishing her flames, it made them more stable and controlled.
Their eyes opened simultaneously, and their auras no longer clashed. Instead, they swirled in harmony, creating a vortex of energy that grew stronger with each passing moment.
The Yin-Yang Breakthrough
Seeing this progress, Aether nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Now, you're ready for the next step—channeling this energy into an attack technique."
Hu Xue grinned. "Finally, the part I like."
Yuan Jin smirked slightly. He could feel a new power flowing through him, and he knew this was only the beginning. With Hu Xue by his side, they would reach even greater heights in cultivation.
---
After successfully harmonizing their energies, Yuan Jin and Hu Xue were now ready to take the next step—utilizing Yin and Yang energy as an attack technique.
Aether stepped forward, his expression serious. "The balance of Yin and Yang is not just about harmony, but also about how you can use the contrast between these energies to create something far more powerful. Today, you will learn your first technique: Yin-Yang Wave."
Hu Xue's eyes lit up with excitement. "How do we use it?"
Aether raised a single finger and formed two spheres of energy in the air—one a cool, swirling blue, and the other a radiant gold with a fiery aura. "Yin represents coldness, control, and stability. Yang represents fire, movement, and power. If you can merge them into a single attack, the result will be far more devastating than an ordinary strike."
Yuan Jin nodded, then began gathering Yin energy in his right hand, while Hu Xue infused Yang energy into her left. Slowly, two spheres of energy formed, but as soon as they tried to bring them together...
BOOM!
A small explosion burst between them, forcing Yuan Jin to take a few steps back while Hu Xue frowned. "This is too difficult! Our energies just repel each other."
Aether smirked slightly. "That's the challenge. Yin and Yang are naturally opposing forces, but if you can find the right balance, they will merge and form a perfect power. Try again."
They focused once more. Yuan Jin regulated his breathing, allowing his Yin energy to flow more gently, preventing it from clashing violently with Hu Xue's Yang energy. Hu Xue did the same, restraining her aggressive energy so that it wouldn't explode upon contact.
Little by little, the two energies began to merge between their hands, forming a spiraling orb of light. This time, there was no explosion. Instead, the swirling energy stabilized, pulsing with immense power.
Aether's eyes gleamed. "Good. Now, direct it at the target."
In front of them, Aether conjured a stone pillar as their training target.
"Strike with full force," he instructed.
Yuan Jin and Hu Xue exchanged glances before launching the energy forward.
"Yin-Yang Wave!"
The energy sphere shot forward at high speed, colliding with the stone pillar in an instant. Upon impact, the orb erupted in a massive wave of blue and gold energy, obliterating the pillar into countless fragments.
BOOOOM!
A strong gust of wind surged in all directions, pushing Yuan Jin and Hu Xue back slightly. As the dust settled, they saw that the stone pillar had completely vanished.
Hu Xue stood in stunned silence before bursting into laughter. "That was incredible!"
Yuan Jin clenched his fist, feeling the energy within him flow more smoothly than ever before. He knew this was just the beginning of the true power of Yin-Yang.
Aether nodded. "You've mastered the first technique. But this is only the start. There is still much more to learn."
Yuan Jin smiled. "I'm ready for more training."
With their newfound power beginning to awaken, their journey to mastering the Yin-Yang Cultivation Method had only just begun.
To be continued...