Volume 11 — Mastering the First Bloom
The grove lay in stunned silence after the explosion of peach light. Hei Xu retreated a few steps, his obsidian aura flickering with unease. Lin Feng hovered, petals swirling around him like a protective storm, still trembling from the surge of power.
"Caiyi…" he muttered, "I think I might actually explode if I blink too hard."
Caiyi rolled her eyes. "Then stop thinking about blinking and focus. You need control, not panic."
The Peach Spirit materialized above him, radiating calm authority. Host, the First Bloom is active. But you cannot rely solely on instinct. You must master the flow, or the Obsidian Root Palace will exploit every weakness.
Lin Feng groaned. "Master the flow… right. Easy."
He tried to focus, but his sword danced erratically, petals spinning wildly, smashing into rocks, trees, and occasionally himself. Caiyi winced each time.
"Stop hitting the environment! You're supposed to control it, not redecorate the grove!" she yelled.
Hei Xu narrowed his eyes, observing. "Pathetic. Such raw energy wasted on incompetence."
Lin Feng's ears burned. Pathetic… me? He tightened his grip on the sword, letting the Peach Spirit guide him. Slowly, the chaotic petals began to respond—not fully, but enough to create graceful arcs instead of destructive spirals.
Good, the Peach Spirit whispered. Feel the energy within, and let it move with intention, not panic.
A shadow moved at the edge of the grove—Elder Yao, observing from afar. "He's growing faster than expected," she murmured. "The host may surpass even the legends."
Lin Feng lifted his sword, eyes glowing with a soft peach-pink hue. "Okay… I think I can actually do this now." He moved with fluid precision, the First Bloom flowing through him like water. Petals flared outward, forming an elegant spiral, dispersing all residual shadows.
Caiyi smiled, wiping blood from her lip. "Finally! You're not just a chaotic mess!"
Hei Xu's jaw tightened. "So, this is what I underestimated… raw potential synchronized with spirit energy."
Lin Feng grinned nervously. "Yeah… but I still have no idea what comes next."
The Peach Spirit's voice was firm: Next comes the trial—the Obsidian Root Palace itself. Prepare, Host. Your journey is only beginning.
Lin Feng gulped. "You mean… the big leagues?"
Caiyi tightened her grip on her sword. "Exactly. And we're going in together."
The wind rustled through the peach grove, petals dancing like a warning. The real battle with the Obsidian Root Palace was approaching—and Lin Feng's mastery of the First Bloom would be put to the ultimate test.