That night, Khanh's body ached all over. Every joint screamed as if crushed, his breath ragged and shallow. He lay staring at the stone ceiling of the cavern, heart still burning with disbelief. How could he, even with Le Vy's help, lose so utterly to Minh Triet? The memory of being knocked down again and again replayed like a cruel joke.
When sleep finally claimed him, Khanh once more found himself drifting into the dream realm. The same hazy figures surrounded him—men, women, young and old—faces blurred in fog. But this time, among the shifting silhouettes, one more appeared. A child.
Khanh squinted, moving closer. The outline sharpened—his heart skipped.
"That… isn't that me?"
Before the thought could settle, the crimson-violet dreamscape quaked violently. The world melted like a sea of liquid glass. Khanh stumbled, fell into the rippling surface, struggling to rise, gasping—then snapped awake.
Dim light bled through cracks in the cave, signaling dawn. Next to him, Le Vy still lay curled on her bedding. The sound of rapid blows echoed faintly from outside.
Curiosity stirred him. Khanh slipped out, the chill of morning air brushing his skin. Outside, he froze—Minh Triet was locked in a ferocious sparring match with Vo Tinh Hai. Their movements blurred faster than the eye could follow, bodies clashing with thunderous thuds. No spiritual energy at play—only raw speed and precision.
Khanh's jaw tightened. For all his bulk, Minh Triet's agility was terrifying. The man dodged, pivoted, struck like water flowing around stone. Yet soon, his strength waned. Gasping, Minh Triet collapsed on the ground, drenched in sweat.
Vo Tinh Hai, by contrast, barely winded, snatched up a gourd of wine resting near the waterfall, chugging deeply with a booming laugh.
"Too slow, boy! You'll need more than sweat to keep up!"
The noise roused Le Vy, who appeared at the cave mouth, eyes sparkling with determination. A bamboo staff already in her hands, she bowed slightly.
"Master, please guide me."
Tinh Hai grinned wide, eyes gleaming. "Good! Let's see what you've got!"
So began their morning of training.
Vo Tinh Hai, even mid-battle, drank freely, his breath carrying the sharp tang of alcohol. Between gulps, he explained, voice half lecture, half roar:
"The foundation of cultivation is the Five Elements—KIM, THUY, MOC, HOA, and THO. Each one holds a cycle of Mutual Support and Mutual Restraint."
He slashed the air with a finger as if carving the truth into stone.
"KIM supports THUY. THUY supports MOC. MOC supports HOA. HOA supports THO. And THO supports KIM."
He stomped the ground hard enough to rattle loose pebbles.
"But remember! Each can also restrain another. KIM restrains MOC. THUY restrains HOA. MOC restrains THO. HOA restrains KIM. And THO restrains THUY."
His words rang like thunder, sinking deep into Khanh and Le Vy's minds.
They sparred again. Khanh with his heavy wooden sword, Le Vy with her bamboo staff. One attacked, the other defended, alternating, slowly learning rhythm. Sweat stung Khanh's eyes, muscles burning, but gradually—he felt it. His strikes less wild, his defenses steadier. Le Vy, too, moved sharper, each step infused with growing intent.
Yet no matter their progress, Vo Tinh Hai bested them with ease, laughing heartily while knocking their weapons aside. His wine gourd never left his hand.
When the session ended, Khanh lingered, heart restless. He approached Tinh Hai quietly.
"Master… Minh Triet… why does he feel so impossible to fight? Even when I give my all, it's like every move is useless."
For once, Tinh Hai didn't laugh. Instead, a knowing smile touched his lips.
"Minh Triet is rare. His body holds a natural gift—he can glimpse five seconds into the future. No cost, no side effects. The ability is crude now, but in battle? It makes him a nightmare. Your strikes, your feints—he sees them before they land."
Khanh's breath caught. His fists clenched. So that was it. No wonder…
Returning to his quarters, his mind swirled with revelation. He gathered parchment and ink, scribbling furiously by lamplight. Diagrams of the Five Elements, arrows of Mutual Support and Restraint, notes scrawled about tactics and synergy. His body still throbbed with pain, but his spirit… it burned brighter than ever.
This was just the beginning.