The dawn was pale and trembling, as if the forest itself hesitated to awaken. Li Chen walked toward the courtyard, every step alert. His body still ached from yesterday's exercises, but the fire in his chest pushed him forward.
I can't afford to slack off, he thought. The shadow last night… it wasn't just a warning. It's testing me. Or… preparing something worse.
The pendant around his neck pulsed faintly, its warmth seeping through his chest. It had been restless ever since the shadow's appearance—almost like it could sense danger long before he could.
I need to learn more… faster…
As he approached the clearing, the old man appeared again, seemingly from thin air. "You are late," he said, though his eyes were sharper than usual. "Or perhaps you were awake all night, preparing your mind for what comes next."
Li Chen hesitated. "I… couldn't sleep, sir. There was… something outside. A shadow."
The old man's eyes narrowed, studying him carefully. "Yes. That is no ordinary presence. Whoever—or whatever—watched you is patient and cunning. You will not defeat it by brute strength alone. Today, your training is not physical, but mental. Your mind is as much a battlefield as your body."
Li Chen's stomach tightened. Mental battle… I thought I was prepared… maybe not enough.
The old man led him to a small grove where the trees were densely packed. Shafts of light pierced through the canopy in uneven beams. The air was heavy with energy.
"Step into the center," the old man instructed. "You will face illusions. They will appear as those you care about, as threats, as fears. Your task is to distinguish reality from deception. You will control your Qi to reveal the truth, and in doing so, strengthen your perception."
Li Chen nodded, gripping the pendant. Illusions… mental attacks… this is new. But if the shadow wants to test me, I can't back down.
He closed his eyes, focusing on the pendant's warmth. Slowly, the energy around him began to swirl, forming faint ripples. The forest seemed to stretch and bend, shadows twisting into shapes familiar and strange.
Is this… real? Li Chen's heart raced as the first figure appeared—a shadowy version of Yan Yue. She stepped forward with a sly grin, staff glinting under the fragmented sunlight.
"Li Chen… you're weak," the illusion said in her voice, though the tone was wrong, colder. "Why do you even try?"
Li Chen's stomach twisted. His mind fought to reject it, but the familiarity of her voice tugged at his emotions. No… this isn't real. Focus on the energy, the Qi… it's guiding me.
He stretched out his senses, letting the pendant guide his perception. Slowly, the illusion began to flicker, revealing its false nature. A surge of energy flared from Li Chen, scattering the shadow into mist.
A second illusion appeared—this time, a distorted version of the old man, arms crossed, frowning.
"You are not ready," it said. "Your Qi is unstable. You will fail."
Li Chen gritted his teeth. I won't fail. Not now. Not ever.
He directed his Qi, forming a protective sphere, and moved through the illusion, forcing it to dissolve. Each success brought a wave of confidence, but he felt the strain in his body. Mental training is exhausting… I didn't expect this.
After what felt like hours, the old man clapped once. "Enough. You have survived your first trial of perception. Few beginners endure this. Your mind is growing stronger, and with it, your control of Qi. But remember—real threats are unpredictable. Never assume victory before the battle begins."
Li Chen wiped sweat from his brow. "I understand, sir… I'll continue to grow."
Yan Yue stepped out from the shadows of the grove, smirking. "I watched most of that. Not bad, Li Chen. Mental strength is just as important as physical skill, and you're improving faster than I expected. But don't get too proud—you still move like a newborn colt when facing real opponents."
Li Chen groaned, half-annoyed, half-amused. "A newborn colt, really? Could you pick something less insulting?"
Yan Yue laughed. "It fits. But you'll thank me one day."
She's… teasing me again, Li Chen thought, feeling a strange flutter in his chest. Focus, Li Chen. Focus.
That evening, Li Chen returned home. The sky had darkened, clouds swirling unnaturally. The wind carried a cold, metallic scent that made his skin prickle. He knew the shadow was still out there, observing, waiting.
He clenched the pendant tightly. It knows I've grown stronger… and it won't wait forever. I have to be ready…
Suddenly, a noise behind him made him spin around. In the alley between two huts, a figure emerged—humanoid, cloaked, silent. Not the illusion of before, but real. Eyes glowing faintly red.
Li Chen's heart raced. It's here… the shadow… real this time.
The figure stepped closer, Qi radiating in cold waves. Li Chen's body tensed. Every instinct screamed to fight, but he knew his skills were still raw. I can't lose… I have to survive…
He focused, forming a basic defensive barrier. The figure didn't attack immediately—it circled, testing him, analyzing him. Every movement was precise, controlled, and intimidating. Li Chen realized that this was no ordinary enemy—it was patient, strategic, and waiting for him to make a mistake.
I have to think… not just react…
The cloaked figure struck suddenly. Li Chen barely blocked, energy sparks exploding from the contact. Pain shot through his arm, but he refused to yield. He countered with a surge of Qi, forcing the figure to step back.
I can do this… I have to…
The battle intensified. Li Chen used every technique he had learned—blocking, redirecting, sensing the enemy's energy—but the shadow adapted. Every move he made was anticipated. His muscles screamed in fatigue, his mind raced, but determination burned brighter than exhaustion.
I won't fail… I can't…
Suddenly, the shadow leapt back, disappearing into the darkness. Li Chen's chest heaved as he sank to the ground, the pendant still glowing.
It… it retreated… for now. But it's coming back… stronger. I can feel it…
From the darkness, a whisper carried on the wind:
"Good… but far from enough. The boy grows… but growth alone cannot save him."
Li Chen clenched his fists, eyes blazing. I will get stronger… I will survive… and I won't let this shadow control my fate.
As he stood in the alley, a faint rustling behind him made his blood run cold. Something—or someone—was approaching silently. The pendant flared violently, heat searing against his chest, as a deep, menacing voice echoed in his mind:
"Li Chen… the true trial begins tonight."