Chapter 3 – Yin Jin's True Training Begins
Months passed since the night of the Soul Reconstruction. The memory of blinding light and his uncle's blood still haunted Yin Jin's dreams. Yet each sunrise brought new strength. The warmth in his dantian no longer burned painfully — it pulsed steadily, alive, like a flame breathing within him.
One morning, the blacksmith forge glowed with orange light. Sparks danced in the air as Xu Liang hammered at a blade, his movements slow but steady.
He looked up as Yin Jin entered. "Your recovery's complete," he said. "It's time you learn to control the power inside you."
Yin Jin straightened. "I'm ready, Uncle."
Xu Liang studied him for a moment, then asked, "Tell me, what did you feel when you awakened after the ritual?"
Yin Jin hesitated. "Heat. A flame in my chest… It felt alive, like it wanted to move."
Xu Liang nodded knowingly. "Then your affinity has awakened — the element of Fire. Fitting, considering your stubborn heart."
He chuckled softly, then his gaze hardened. "But fire is more than destruction. It is life, warmth, and will. It can forge or consume. Which it becomes depends on your control."
That day marked the beginning of Yin Jin's true training.
Xu Liang taught him to sense the flow of energy within his body — to let the fire circulate through his meridians, never forcing it, only guiding it. The training was brutal. Yin Jin sat for hours in meditation as waves of heat surged through his veins, testing his focus and endurance.
By the second week, Yin Jin could make the flame flicker in his palms without losing control. Each spark danced like a heartbeat, glowing with promise.
Xu Liang watched silently, then finally said, "Good. You've learned to feel the flame. Now you must learn to wield it."
He brought forth a weapon — a long crimson blade forged from Firesteel, glowing faintly in the dim forge light.
"This sword once belonged to your father," Xu Liang said. "It carries the essence of fire within its core. Use it well — and never forget the hands that forged it."
Yin Jin took the sword reverently. The metal was warm, almost alive. As he swung it gently, flames shimmered faintly along the edge, leaving trails of light in the air.
"Focus your qi through the blade," Xu Liang instructed. "Don't force it — become it."
Yin Jin closed his eyes and breathed deeply. The flame inside him pulsed, responding to his will. When he swung again, a burst of fire exploded from the blade, striking the wooden dummy and igniting it instantly.
Xu Liang's eyes gleamed. "Not bad for your first try."
He pressed his hand to the ground. Mechanisms clicked, and a bronze training doll rose from a hidden panel in the floor, runes glowing across its surface.
"Level Two training doll — fire resistance mode," Xu Liang said. "Now, let's see how your flame fares against a real opponent. Begin!"
The doll's eyes flared red as it lunged forward. Yin Jin raised his sword, sparks flying as metal clashed against metal. The force rattled his arms, but he stood his ground. He swung again, channeling fire through the blade, sending a wave of heat against his opponent. The doll staggered but pressed on, its runes glowing brighter as it absorbed the flame.
Yin Jin's breath grew ragged. "Uncle! It's not burning!"
Xu Liang folded his arms. "Because your heart is unsteady! Fire answers only to resolve. Hesitation weakens it!"
Gritting his teeth, Yin Jin steadied his breath. The world narrowed — just him, the doll, and the fire roaring within. He focused every ounce of his will into the sword. The flame burst forth, brighter, hotter — alive.
He leapt forward, slashing in a wide arc. The blade sang, and the doll was consumed in a torrent of crimson fire. When the smoke cleared, only melted fragments remained.
Yin Jin fell to one knee, exhausted but smiling. "I did it…"
Xu Liang approached slowly, resting a heavy hand on his shoulder. "You did. But remember — fire is never truly tamed. Respect it, or it will devour you."
Yin Jin nodded weakly. "I understand."
Xu Liang looked at him for a long moment, then turned toward the forge. "Rest for today. Tomorrow, we begin the Flame Tempering Trials. That is when your true training will begin."
Yin Jin stared at the flickering forge fire, his reflection dancing within the flames. For the first time, he saw not weakness — but strength waiting to be forged.