The days following Lin Feng's first real encounter with spiritual energy blurred together in a haze of exhaustion, frustration, and slow progress. The old man, whose name was Master Jian, remained as inscrutable as ever, his presence always looming over Lin Feng like a shadow. Every day, Lin Feng would wake up early, before the sun had fully risen, and begin his training with the Azure Sky Sword Technique, a routine that was becoming more and more familiar.
Despite his tired body, Lin Feng could feel the changes within himself. The energy that once seemed so elusive now flowed more easily through his veins. His movements were becoming sharper, more fluid. His muscles, though sore, were beginning to strengthen, his endurance improving as each day passed. The sword felt lighter in his hand, almost like an extension of himself. Yet, no matter how much progress he made, it never seemed to be enough for Master Jian. Every day, there was always something to improve upon, some minor flaw that needed to be fixed.
At first, Lin Feng had been discouraged by this, thinking that his efforts were never good enough. But slowly, he began to understand that this was part of the process. Master Jian wasn't trying to break him down; he was pushing him to grow. To master cultivation was to constantly surpass one's limits.
Today, however, was different. Lin Feng stood in the courtyard, drenched in sweat, his hands trembling from the intensity of the training. The sun had just begun to set, casting long shadows across the training ground. The sword in his hand felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. He had been practicing for hours, trying to integrate spiritual energy into his movements, but something wasn't clicking. The sword seemed to resist him, the energy refusing to flow smoothly.
"Master," Lin Feng said between gasps, his voice strained. "I can't do it. It's not working."
Master Jian stood off to the side, his arms folded, his eyes narrowing as he observed Lin Feng's struggles. "You're forcing it," he said, his voice calm, but with an edge of impatience. "You're still thinking too much. Cultivation is about harmony, not control. You're trying to force the energy into your sword, but you need to let it flow naturally. The energy should follow your movements, not the other way around."
Lin Feng clenched his jaw in frustration, trying once more to steady his breath and focus. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the sounds of the world fade into the background. The air smelled faintly of grass and earth, and the wind rustled the leaves in the trees. He tried to clear his mind of everything—the frustration, the doubts, the exhaustion—and focused solely on his connection to the energy that flowed through him. It was there, just beneath the surface, always waiting for him to reach out and guide it.
This time, instead of forcing the energy into the sword, he imagined it as a current, a stream that flowed through his body. His movements, once rigid and mechanical, became smoother, more fluid. He didn't try to control the energy; he let it move with him, let it flow naturally, like a river winding through a valley. As he moved, the sword hummed with power, the air around him shimmering with the faintest trace of energy.
For the first time, Lin Feng felt it. The connection. His movements became effortless, the sword feeling like a part of him. His mind and body were no longer separate entities. The energy moved with him, guiding his strikes with precision, speed, and power. Each swing of the sword was like an extension of his thoughts, each movement flowing from him like a dance.
"Better," Master Jian muttered, his eyes glinting with a hint of approval. "But this is just the beginning. You've learned to wield the energy, but you've only scratched the surface of what it can truly do."
Lin Feng exhaled deeply, feeling a rush of satisfaction. He had done it. But even as the exhilaration washed over him, there was something deeper, something unsettling that lingered at the back of his mind. Power always came at a cost. The more he cultivated, the more he tapped into the energy that flowed through the world, the more he could feel something shifting within him. A quiet hunger, a desire for more. It wasn't just the need to grow stronger—it was a pull, a yearning that seemed to come from deep within his soul.
"Master," Lin Feng said, his voice quiet. "How much does it cost? This power… How much of myself will I have to sacrifice to become stronger?"
Master Jian's expression darkened for a moment, his eyes growing distant as if remembering something long buried. "Power always comes at a price," he said softly. "Cultivation isn't just about physical strength. It's about your soul, your very being. The more you grow, the more you risk losing yourself. You can't cultivate without paying a price, and that price is your connection to the world around you. Every time you push further, you change. You become something different. Sometimes, you lose yourself along the way."
Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat. "Lose myself?"
Master Jian nodded grimly. "The energy you draw from, it's not just a gift. It's a force of nature, something ancient and untamable. The deeper you go, the more you risk becoming consumed by it. You'll find that the more powerful you become, the more you'll be tempted to use that power for your own gain. And once you start down that path, there's no turning back."
Lin Feng felt a chill run down his spine. The old man's words hung in the air like a heavy weight. He had felt that temptation, that hunger for more, deep within himself. He could feel it calling to him, urging him to reach further, to push harder. But hearing Master Jian's warning, Lin Feng knew that he had to tread carefully. The path of cultivation was a dangerous one, not just because of the trials and enemies that awaited him, but because of the darkness that could slowly creep into his soul if he wasn't careful.
"I understand," Lin Feng said, his voice firm, though doubt lingered in his chest. "I won't lose myself."
Master Jian regarded him with a steady gaze. "You say that now. But remember this—there will come a time when you'll face choices that will test your resolve. Cultivation isn't just about power; it's about discipline, balance, and self-control. The energy you wield can save lives, but it can also destroy them. Choose wisely, Lin Feng."
For a long moment, there was silence between them. Lin Feng's grip on his sword tightened, and the weight of Master Jian's words settled heavily in his chest. He could feel the energy swirling within him, calling to him, promising power beyond his wildest dreams. But at what cost?
Master Jian's voice broke the silence. "Enough for today. You've done well, but remember, the journey is far from over. Rest now. Tomorrow, we begin again."
Lin Feng nodded, though his mind was far from the sword in his hand. The path of cultivation had only just begun, and already, the price of power was becoming clear. As he left the training ground, his thoughts were clouded with uncertainty, and a question lingered at the back of his mind: Could he truly walk this path without losing himself?