Lin Feng awoke with a start, his body drenched in sweat. The dim light of dawn filtered through the cracks in the wooden walls of the training room. His body ached from the previous day's grueling training, and his mind felt clouded, still trying to adjust to the overwhelming sensations of the cultivation world. He had barely slept, his thoughts consumed by the strange, elusive energy that the old man had called spiritual energy. But despite the exhaustion, there was something undeniable within him: a sense of purpose.
His fingers twitched as he sat up, feeling the weight of his body. Each muscle screamed in protest, a reminder of how much he had pushed himself the day before. But there was no time to dwell on the pain. The old man had made it clear: cultivation required constant effort. There was no room for weakness.
Lin Feng closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The familiar scent of incense still lingered in the air, thick and soothing, helping him center his mind. He had learned the basics of feeling spiritual energy the day before, but that was only the beginning. The real challenge was learning to manipulate it, to bend it to his will.
Sitting cross-legged on the mat, he focused, just as the old man had instructed. First, he cleared his mind of distractions, letting the world outside fade into silence. His breath became deep and measured, in and out, a slow rhythm that calmed his nerves. With every inhale, he imagined drawing energy from the very air around him, pulling it into his body like a lifeline. Every exhale, he pushed his thoughts outward, clearing away any lingering doubt or fear.
A gentle hum reverberated through the air as Lin Feng focused deeper. He felt it again—the faint stirrings of spiritual energy. It was like a subtle pull, a current he could barely catch with his senses. The energy was there, just beneath the surface of his awareness. He could feel it swirling around him, alive and vibrant, yet untouchable. He reached out with his mind, trying to grasp it, to draw it into himself.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, like a spark catching fire, something clicked. The energy surged forward, flowing into his body like a flood of warmth. Lin Feng gasped, his heart racing as the power rushed through his veins. It was intoxicating, this sense of connection, of unity with the world around him. He had never felt anything like it before. It wasn't just power; it was life itself.
He exhaled slowly, savoring the sensation. But it was fleeting. The energy began to dissipate as quickly as it had come, slipping away from his grasp like water through his fingers. Lin Feng gritted his teeth, frustration bubbling to the surface. He had felt it so clearly for a moment, but now it was gone.
No. I can't give up. Not now.
He refocused, clearing his mind once more. He couldn't let the frustration take over. The old man had told him that cultivation was a long road, one that demanded patience. It wasn't something that could be rushed. Every cultivator had to start from the beginning, and this was Lin Feng's beginning.
With renewed determination, he tried again. This time, he allowed his mind to sink even deeper into the rhythm of his breath, letting go of the urge to control the energy. Instead, he tried to become one with it, to flow alongside it rather than trying to force it into submission.
Minutes passed, and just when Lin Feng was beginning to doubt himself, he felt it again. The energy, like a whisper at first, then stronger, more persistent. He reached out, but this time he didn't grab at it. He simply allowed it to come to him, accepting it as it was. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the energy began to coalesce within him. It swirled around his body, filling the empty spaces in his soul, his mind, his heart.
I can feel it.
A surge of warmth radiated through his chest, spreading outwards to his limbs, and Lin Feng's breath caught. This time, it wasn't fleeting. The energy remained, steady and constant. He focused on it, trying to direct it within his body, letting it course through his veins and gather at the base of his spine.
This is it. This is what I need.
Just as he was about to experiment with directing the energy further, the door to the training room creaked open. The old man stepped inside, his eyes sharp as always, watching Lin Feng with the same calculating gaze.
"You're doing well," the old man said, his voice low and approving. "But don't get too comfortable. What you've just felt is only the first step. Manipulating spiritual energy is more than just gathering it. It's about control. You must learn to focus it, direct it, and use it in ways that will allow you to protect yourself, to grow stronger."
Lin Feng opened his eyes, still feeling the faint hum of energy within him. "How do I control it?"
The old man's lips twisted into a grim smile. "Control comes with experience. And experience comes with practice. The energy you've gathered isn't going to be enough to defend yourself in the dangerous world of cultivation. There are others out there with far more power, far more control. But for now, I'll teach you the next step."
The old man gestured for Lin Feng to stand. With a groan, Lin Feng rose to his feet, still feeling the lingering warmth of the spiritual energy inside him. The old man led him to the center of the room, where a wooden practice sword lay on the ground.
"This is the Azure Sky Sword Technique," the old man said, picking up the sword and handing it to Lin Feng. "It's a basic technique, but it's deadly when mastered. You'll use it to channel your spiritual energy into physical attacks. It will allow you to strike with greater force and precision, but it requires both discipline and focus. The moment you let your guard down, it will slip through your fingers."
Lin Feng grasped the hilt of the sword, feeling its weight in his hand. The blade was light, yet sturdy, and Lin Feng could feel the old man's presence beside him as he adjusted his stance.
"Begin," the old man commanded.
Lin Feng hesitated for only a moment before raising the sword. His grip tightened, and he exhaled, centering himself once more. He focused on the energy within him, feeling it flow through his body. His movements were slow at first, tentative. He swung the sword through the air, but there was no power behind it—only the faintest trace of the energy he had gathered earlier.
"Focus," the old man urged. "You need to direct the energy into the sword. Use it to amplify your movements, to give them purpose."
Lin Feng nodded, adjusting his stance and trying again. This time, he concentrated more intently on channeling the energy into the blade. The sword moved in a graceful arc, and for a brief moment, Lin Feng felt a flicker of power surge through the weapon. The sword hummed in his hand, and a faint glow began to appear along the edge of the blade.
"Better," the old man said with a nod. "But not enough. The energy must be as natural as breathing. When you swing the sword, it must feel as if you are one with it, one with the flow of the energy. Don't think about it. Feel it."
Lin Feng tightened his grip on the sword, his muscles trembling with the effort. He let the energy course through him again, letting it flow out of him and into the blade. This time, as the sword swept through the air, he felt the air shift with it. The sword seemed to hum with a new vitality, and Lin Feng's movements became smoother, more fluid.
A rush of satisfaction surged through him, but the old man's voice quickly cut through it. "You're not there yet. The next step is to practice until your body and energy are one. Only then will you truly begin to master the Azure Sky Sword Technique."
Lin Feng's heart pounded in his chest, and his breath came in ragged gasps. He knew that he had only scratched the surface. But one thing was certain: he was on the right path. The journey ahead would be difficult, but with every challenge, he could feel himself growing stronger.
The old man's words echoed in his mind as he practiced: Don't think about it. Feel it.
It was a lesson that would shape everything from this point forward.