The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and earth. Li Chen could feel the residual warmth of the pendant pulsing gently against his chest as he made his way back to the courtyard. His muscles ached, his body was sore, but his mind buzzed with determination. Every movement from yesterday's sparring session with Yan Yue, every surge of Qi through his body, replayed in his head.
I need to get stronger… faster… he thought, tightening his grip on the pendant. She's strong, but I have to catch up. I can't embarrass myself again.
As he arrived, the old man was waiting, leaning against a tree with his robe fluttering slightly in the wind. "Good morning, Li Chen. Today, we take the next step. Your control of Qi is improving, but raw power is only the beginning. Today, you will learn how to sense the energy of others."
Li Chen frowned, curious. "Sense the energy of… others?"
The old man nodded. "Every cultivator, every living being carries Qi. By learning to detect it, you can anticipate attacks, understand intentions, and protect yourself. It is as essential as strength."
Li Chen followed him deeper into the forest, stepping carefully over roots and stones. A clearing appeared, larger than the first, with ancient markings etched into the ground. Faint sparks of energy danced along the symbols, reacting to the pendant in his hand.
"Stand in the center," the old man instructed. "Close your eyes. Feel the energy around you. Every leaf, every creature, every moving shadow—sense it."
Li Chen inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. At first, he felt nothing. Doubt crept into his mind. Maybe I'm too weak… too ordinary… I can't do this…
Then, a faint pulse brushed against his consciousness. The pendant flared slightly, a guiding warmth. Li Chen focused, following the faint hum, and slowly, the world began to shift. The rustling leaves of the trees became distinct signals, the distant chirping of birds a rhythm of energy, the flowing Qi of the old man a steady beacon.
I can feel it… he thought, astonished. I can feel everything…
Suddenly, a movement caught his peripheral vision—a shadow flickering near the treeline. Li Chen's eyes snapped open, heart pounding. Nothing was visible, yet the pendant burned hotter, reacting to something unseen.
Someone… or something… is here.
Before he could react, a gust of wind swirled violently around the clearing. Leaves, dust, and Qi sparks twisted together, forming a faint humanoid silhouette. The figure moved with unnatural speed, its presence radiating malice. Li Chen's heart thudded in panic. I'm not ready… I'm not ready…
The old man's voice cut through the chaos. "Do not panic! Control your Qi, Li Chen! Focus!"
Li Chen took a deep breath, grounding himself. He stretched his arms, feeling the pendant's warmth guiding his Qi. The shadow lunged. He barely managed to raise a hand, forming a crude barrier of energy. The impact slammed into him, knocking him backward onto the ground. Dust and leaves swirled around him, and for a moment, he felt utterly helpless.
I… I can't die here… not now… he thought, pushing himself up. His thoughts raced. If I fail, everything ends before it even begins…
The shadow struck again, faster this time. Li Chen dodged clumsily, tripping over a root, falling flat. Pain shot through his arm, but he refused to give up. Rising again, he focused, centering his mind. The pendant's warmth spread into his chest, guiding him, linking him to the energy around him.
Suddenly, he saw it—not just a shadow, but a ripple in the air, faint lines of energy revealing the attacker's movements before they happened. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was enough.
Li Chen clenched his fists, a surge of determination fueling his movements. He blocked, dodged, and countered—not with skill, but with instinct guided by Qi. Sparks of energy flared from his hands, striking the shadow and forcing it to step back.
The old man's voice echoed again, calm and steady. "Well done, Li Chen. That is the beginning. You have sensed the flow. The rest is practice."
The shadow vanished suddenly, leaving only the whisper of wind and the rustling of leaves. Li Chen's chest heaved with exhaustion, sweat dripping into his eyes. He sank to his knees, gripping the pendant.
That… that was too close, he thought. But I survived… I… I'm stronger than I thought… maybe I really can do this.
Yan Yue appeared at the edge of the clearing, her staff resting on her shoulder. She had been watching silently, eyes sharp.
"You survived?" she asked, smirking. "I expected you to crumble the moment that shadow attacked."
Li Chen wiped his face, feeling a mix of pride and embarrassment. "I… I did my best."
Yan Yue's expression softened slightly. "Not bad… but that was only the beginning. The world outside this courtyard is far more dangerous. You'll need more than just raw determination."
Li Chen nodded. I will… I have to.
That night, as Li Chen lay on his straw mat, he couldn't stop thinking about the shadow. It had been fast, powerful, and unlike anything he had seen before. Was it a cultivator? Or… something else?
He touched the pendant, and warmth spread through his chest. Somehow, it felt… protective. Almost alive. His thoughts drifted to Yan Yue, the old man, and the challenges ahead. I can't fail. Not now. I have to get stronger… faster… before it's too late.
Outside his home, hidden in the shadows, a figure watched him silently. Eyes glinting in the moonlight, it whispered, "So, the boy awakens… very interesting. But he is far from ready for what is coming."
The pendant pulsed violently in Li Chen's hand, as if reacting to the unseen threat. Somewhere deep in the forest, danger stirred, waiting to strike.