The morning sun bathed the Azure Cloud Sect in a soft golden glow. Lingxuan and Wei Tianyu, now sixteen years old, stood on the training terrace, their bodies honed by over a year of relentless physical and cultivation training. Despite their youthful faces and the slight awkwardness of adolescence, there was a maturity in their movements that spoke of extraordinary talent and discipline.
Although their appearances were still those of boys on the cusp of adulthood, their qi and strength were far beyond the expectations for cultivators of their age. Formation Core stable, muscles honed, and martial techniques refined, they were now considered prodigies within the sect.
The master approached, his steps light yet measured. His eyes scanned the two youths, a proud glimmer in his gaze. "Lingxuan, Tianyu… you have trained diligently, and your progress in such a short time surpasses many who have spent twice your years in cultivation. I am proud of you both."
Lingxuan bowed respectfully, his tone calm yet filled with determination. "Thank you, Master. I will continue to train and not waste the guidance you have given us."
Tianyu, usually cheerful and easygoing, looked slightly nervous under the weight of his master's praise. "Master, we still have much to learn. Even if we've grown stronger, I know there are countless challenges ahead."
The master nodded. "Indeed. Youth is fleeting, and the path of cultivation is long. But your genius lies not only in your talent but in your discipline, your focus, and your willingness to push beyond limits. Few at sixteen have reached the level you have achieved. Let this pride fuel you, but do not let it become arrogance."
Lingxuan's gaze shifted slightly, eyes reflecting quiet confidence. "We understand, Master. Strength is only meaningful if it is honed and applied wisely."
The master smiled faintly. "Good. Today, I will allow you both to attempt the first steps toward Qi Condensation. You have spent over a year in the Foundation Establishment realm. Your bodies are strong, your cores stable, and your minds focused. It is time to see how far your efforts have prepared you for the next stage."
Tianyu's eyes widened slightly, a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation coursing through him. "Qi Condensation… this is the next realm?"
"Yes," the master confirmed. "This realm will require more than just physical strength. Your Formation Core must be fully integrated with your body, your movements precise, and your mind calm. Only by harmonizing these elements can you successfully condense qi to the level required for advancement."
Lingxuan took a deep breath, feeling the familiar hum of his Formation Core in his dantian. The energy pulsed rhythmically, now more responsive than ever. He could feel the boundaries of his current cultivation, the limits of his muscles, and the subtle fluctuations in qi that indicated readiness.
"I am ready," Lingxuan said quietly, his voice steady. "I will do my best."
Tianyu nodded beside him, fists clenched with determination. "I'll do the same. We've worked too hard to stop now."
The master gestured to the open training courtyard. "Focus first on feeling the flow of qi within your body. Do not rush. The heart must lead the body, and the body must guide the qi. When you can sense it, the path to Qi Condensation will reveal itself."
Both youths closed their eyes, lowering their breathing, and allowing their minds to sink into calm awareness. Lingxuan felt the qi circulating within him like a flowing river, each pulse harmonizing with the beat of his heart and the strength in his muscles. Tianyu struggled slightly at first, his mind racing with anticipation, but with Lingxuan's calm presence nearby, he gradually found his rhythm.
The master watched silently, impressed at the ease with which Lingxuan's qi integrated with his body and mind. "Such talent," he murmured under his breath. "To achieve this at sixteen… truly remarkable."
Hours passed in quiet concentration. Lingxuan's Formation Core pulsed steadily, the qi in his body becoming more condensed, denser, and more stable. Tianyu followed, gradually synchronizing his own qi with his physical strength and mental focus.
Finally, the master stepped forward, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. "You have made excellent progress. Today, you have felt the true flow of qi within your bodies, the bridge between Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation. Continue to refine this awareness, and soon, you will make the breakthrough."
Lingxuan opened his eyes, a faint smile on his lips. "I can feel it… the next realm is close. It's like a door, waiting for us to step through."
Tianyu exhaled deeply, feeling both nervous and excited. "It feels… different. Stronger, heavier, yet more alive. I've never felt qi move like this before."
The master nodded, satisfied. "You are young, but your strength and talent at this age are extraordinary. Continue to cultivate diligently, for the challenges ahead will demand not only your power but your wisdom and perseverance. The path of a genius is never easy, but it is full of opportunities for those willing to seize them."
As the sun reached its zenith, Lingxuan and Tianyu stood side by side, sixteen years old but already displaying the maturity and strength of seasoned cultivators. Their bodies and minds had been honed through years of training, their Formation Cores stabilized, and their spirits tempered like steel.
In that moment, the master's pride was undeniable. Not just for their talent, but for their discipline, resilience, and the promise of what they could become. The young geniuses of the Azure Cloud Sect were ready to step forward into the challenges of the Qi Condensation realm, one deliberate breath, one precise movement at a time.
The training terrace was bathed in the soft light of late afternoon. Lingxuan and Wei Tianyu stood before their master, their youthful faces calm yet filled with determination. At sixteen, they had already honed their bodies, mastered Formation Core, and displayed the discipline of cultivators far beyond their years.
Lingxuan exhaled slowly, his eyes shining with resolve. "Master… we have worked hard to stabilize our Formation Core and refine our qi. Now… we wish to advance further. We want to break through to the Nascent Soul realm."
Tianyu, his fists clenched, nodded firmly beside him. "Yes. We are ready. We have trained tirelessly and will give everything we have. Please, Master, allow us to attempt it."
The master froze for a moment, his eyes widening slightly. Nascent Soul. A realm that few cultivators reached in their lifetime. Even many adults struggled to achieve it. For two sixteen-year-olds to aspire to such heights… it was almost unheard of.
"You… you wish to enter Nascent Soul?" the master asked, his voice tinged with both surprise and disbelief.
Lingxuan bowed slightly, his tone steady. "Yes, Master. We have prepared ourselves as best we can. Our bodies are strong, our Formation Cores stable, and our minds clear. With your guidance, we believe we can reach it."
Tianyu added, "We are not afraid of the challenge. We understand the risks, but we also know the rewards. We want to push ourselves, to see how far we can go."
The master closed his eyes for a brief moment, taking a deep breath. A proud smile slowly formed on his face. "Lingxuan… Tianyu… if you succeed, you will become the youngest cultivators in history to enter the Nascent Soul realm. At your age… this is extraordinary. Truly extraordinary."
Lingxuan's eyes sparkled with resolve. "We understand the magnitude of what we are attempting. But Master, it is because of your teachings and guidance that we have come this far. We wish to honor your efforts by striving for this breakthrough."
The master's smile deepened. His chest swelled with pride as he observed the two youths standing before him—not just talented, but disciplined, determined, and focused. "Indeed… the path of a genius is one of both potential and perseverance. I have no doubt that your efforts over the past year have laid the foundation for such an ambitious goal. To see you aspire to Nascent Soul… I could not be prouder."
Tianyu's eyes widened slightly at his master's words. "Master… are we really capable of reaching it at our age?"
The master chuckled softly, shaking his head in disbelief and pride. "Few have achieved what you have accomplished in your lifetime, let alone at sixteen. You possess rare talent, but more importantly, you have shown unwavering dedication. If your breakthrough succeeds, the world will remember your names."
Lingxuan and Tianyu exchanged a glance, their hearts racing with anticipation. They felt the pulse of qi in their bodies, steady and controlled, ready to rise to the next level. The thought of becoming the youngest cultivators to enter Nascent Soul filled them with both excitement and a sense of solemn responsibility.
The master placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "Very well. You have my blessing. Remember this—Nascent Soul is not merely a matter of strength or qi density. It requires insight, clarity, and the ability to harmonize your spirit with your body and core. Focus on these elements, and you may achieve what few have dared to attempt."
Lingxuan bowed deeply. "Thank you, Master. We will not disappoint you."
Tianyu followed, his voice resolute. "We will do our best and push ourselves beyond every limit."
The master stepped back, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Good. I will watch closely, but remember, this is your journey. Take it seriously, and let your hearts guide your breakthrough. It is not only power you seek, but the refinement of your very souls."
Lingxuan took a deep breath, feeling the familiar surge of qi coursing through his body. Formation Core stable, muscles strong, mind focused—every element aligned perfectly. Tianyu mirrored his stance, fists clenched, eyes narrowing in concentration.
The wind swept across the terrace, carrying with it the scent of the mountains and the quiet hum of nature. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath as the two young geniuses prepared themselves for a breakthrough that could etch their names into history.
The master watched silently, pride and anticipation intermingling in his chest. "Years of teaching, of guidance, of effort… it all culminates in this moment," he whispered. "To see them aspire to Nascent Soul at sixteen… it is a teacher's greatest reward."
Lingxuan and Tianyu's gazes met briefly. No words were needed; both understood the gravity of what they were about to attempt. This was the next step in their cultivation journey—a leap into a realm few had seen, a testament to their talent, perseverance, and unyielding spirit.
And as the sunlight bathed them, the master's heart swelled with pride. His teachings had not been in vain. Two prodigies, his disciples, were about to attempt the unimaginable. Whether they succeeded or not, this moment would be remembered as the dawn of a new chapter in the history of the Azure Cloud Sect.
For Lingxuan and Tianyu, the path to Nascent Soul had begun.
The training terrace was quiet except for the rhythmic hum of circulating qi. Lingxuan and Wei Tianyu sat cross-legged, their eyes closed, bodies tense yet controlled. At sixteen, their youthful faces betrayed little of the immense effort required to stabilize and condense their Formation Core to prepare for the breakthrough into the Nascent Soul realm.
"Focus on your breathing," the master instructed, standing a few steps away. "Feel the qi flowing through your body. Align your mind, body, and core. Only with complete harmony can you hope to take the next step."
Lingxuan inhaled deeply, letting his senses sink inward. The pulse of qi in his dantian felt like a river, flowing smoothly yet intensifying with each controlled breath. His muscles, strengthened from countless months of physical training, shivered slightly as they integrated perfectly with the dense formation of qi inside him.
Tianyu mirrored his position, trying to emulate Lingxuan's calm focus, but his mind raced. Hours passed, and the pressure on their bodies intensified. The energy of the Formation Core pressed outward, demanding adaptation and control. Sweat poured down their faces, but neither of them moved; the breakthrough required perfect stillness.
After several hours, Tianyu's concentration faltered. His qi surged uncontrollably, and he felt sharp pain in his chest and arms. A spurt of blood escaped his lips, and his body trembled violently. "Ah…" he gasped, collapsing slightly.
The master's eyes widened with concern. "Tianyu! Pull back! Do not force this—your body cannot handle it yet, or the consequences will be severe."
Tianyu nodded weakly, swallowing the blood, his breath shaky. Lingxuan's eyes opened briefly, calm and unwavering, despite the same strain pressing on his body. "I…I can still maintain control," Lingxuan whispered, sweat dripping down his temple. His hands gripped his knees tightly, every fiber of his being focused on balancing the qi that threatened to overwhelm him.
The master stepped closer to Tianyu, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Step back for now. Do not risk your body. Nascent Soul is not a race. Lingxuan will show you the way."
Tianyu's eyes flicked toward Lingxuan, a mixture of awe and determination in his gaze. "Master… do you think he can actually reach Nascent Soul?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly, still recovering from the strain.
The master's lips curled into a faint smile. "If I were to judge from his speed of cultivation, his discipline, and his unwavering determination… Lingxuan may very well succeed. I have seen many geniuses, but few possess both talent and the relentless desire to surpass limits as he does. I would not be surprised if he breaks through."
Tianyu's heart swelled with a mixture of hope and trust. "Then… I'll wait and believe in him. If anyone can do it, it's Lingxuan."
Lingxuan's body shivered as the pressure of condensed qi reached its peak. His eyes narrowed, and his mind focused on a single point: the formation of the Nascent Soul. He felt the energy expand, tighten, and reshape, pressing against the boundaries of his Formation Core. Every moment demanded absolute precision; even the slightest lapse could result in injury—or worse.
Outside, the master's gaze was steady but alert. "Notice how he balances his qi with his body… how he integrates mental focus with physical strength… this is rare, even among the most talented of disciples," he murmured quietly.
Tianyu, watching from a distance, clenched his fists tightly. "Go, Lingxuan… you can do it. I believe in you," he whispered, a quiet vow of support.
The afternoon sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the terrace, yet Lingxuan remained steadfast. His breath slowed, perfectly timed with the rhythmic flow of qi. The formation of his Nascent Soul began to take shape—a bright, condensed sphere of spiritual energy hovering within his dantian, glowing faintly but steadily.
The master's eyes gleamed with pride. "I have no doubt… his focus, his willpower, and his dedication… if he continues like this, Nascent Soul is within his grasp. It is rare to witness such potential at this age. Lingxuan may very well become one of the youngest cultivators ever to reach this realm."
Tianyu nodded, silently cheering for his friend. "I'll wait… I know he'll succeed."
Lingxuan's lips curved slightly into a determined smile. His body trembled under the pressure, his qi surging and condensing, yet he remained perfectly composed. The breakthrough was near. His Formation Core pulsed rhythmically, and the faint glow of his forming Nascent Soul began to radiate outward.
For a moment, time seemed suspended. Only the hum of condensed energy filled the terrace. Lingxuan's youthful face, calm yet resolute, reflected the heart of a genius—a prodigy whose talent, diligence, and indomitable will were about to take him beyond the limits of his age.
The master watched silently, pride and anticipation warring within him. "This is the reward of teaching, of guiding… to witness the birth of a genius," he murmured. "No matter what happens next, this moment will be remembered in the history of the Azure Cloud Sect."
And as the golden light of the setting sun touched the terrace, Lingxuan's Nascent Soul shimmered faintly in his core, a beacon of his potential and the start of a journey that could reshape the course of his cultivation forever.
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Azure Cloud Sect training terrace, illuminating Lingxuan's tense figure. Sweat poured down his face, mixing with streaks of blood that had started to form around the corners of his mouth and temples. His body trembled under the intense pressure of condensing his qi for the Nascent Soul breakthrough.
The master's eyes widened, worry etching across his features. "Lingxuan! Be careful! You are pushing too hard!"
Lingxuan's gaze remained steady, his teeth gritted, a thin veil of blood shimmering at his lips. His chest heaved as he forced himself to stay calm, guiding the turbulent qi with painstaking precision. His mind, body, and Formation Core were perfectly synchronized, every fiber straining yet unyielding.
The master's worry deepened, but then he noticed something remarkable. Lingxuan's expression was one of absolute focus and resolve, unshaken despite the pain. His muscles began to tense visibly, veins standing out along his arms, neck, and torso, rippling as if sculpted under extreme pressure.
"This… he's going to do it," the master muttered under his breath, a proud smile breaking through his initial concern. "His control, his will… he can make it."
Lingxuan's breath slowed further, his eyes narrowing as he felt the boundary of his Formation Core beginning to dissolve under the immense pressure of the condensing Nascent Soul. Every ounce of qi within him was drawn inward, compacting and stabilizing into a perfect sphere of spiritual energy.
The tension reached its peak. Lingxuan's muscles flexed violently, his body radiating energy in waves. The blood, the sweat, the strain—it all became a testament to his determination and genius. His dantian glowed brighter and brighter, the condensation forming a perfect orb of spiritual energy.
And then—
A blinding light erupted from Lingxuan's body, shooting skyward like a beam of pure energy. The terraces shook, the wind whipped around him, and a deep, resonating hum filled the air. The breakthrough had succeeded. Lingxuan had officially entered the Nascent Soul realm.
The energy surged outward, a palpable aura of power stretching into the sky, as if signaling the heavens themselves. Birds scattered, trees bent under the force, and the distant city beyond the sect walls felt the tremors of his arrival into a new realm.
From the streets of the city, cultivators and commoners alike looked upward, their mouths agape. "Someone… someone has entered Nascent Soul!" one of them exclaimed.
"Look at that energy! It's far too powerful for someone young," another murmured in awe.
Even Xuan Yue, who happened to be passing through the city, stopped in her tracks. Her eyes widened as she focused on the glowing pillar of energy reaching the sky. "Who has broken through to Nascent Soul? That power… it's enormous," she whispered, a mixture of shock and intrigue on her face.
Back at the terrace, the master's chest swelled with pride and relief. "Lingxuan… you have done it," he murmured. Tears of joy threatened to form. "And Tianyu… you will follow soon, I am certain. My disciples… my students… are truly exceptional. This is the reward of guiding prodigies like you both."
Lingxuan, his face flushed and muscles taut, finally allowed himself a small, exhausted smile. The Nascent Soul orb stabilized within him, his energy now radiating power yet under his complete control. Despite the immense strain he had endured, the breakthrough was clean and perfect.
Tianyu, watching from a safe distance, clenched his fists tightly, his eyes shining with admiration. "Lingxuan… you did it! You actually did it!"
The master looked at them both, pride and happiness radiating from every line of his face. "Yes… my teaching has not been in vain. With talent, willpower, and the right guidance, even the youngest cultivators can achieve greatness. You are both proof of that."
Lingxuan's energy continued to hum, a quiet yet unstoppable force now fully under his command. The city below buzzed with speculation and awe. Word of a young genius breaking through to Nascent Soul would spread far and wide, forever marking this day as the rise of a new prodigy.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Lingxuan stood tall, his aura powerful yet controlled, a true Nascent Soul cultivator at sixteen. Around him, the master and Tianyu shared a glance of silent pride, knowing that this was only the beginning of a legendary journey that would reshape their sect—and perhaps the world beyond.