Morning light filtered gently through the leaves as David sat cross-legged outside the tent, back against a massive root, eyes closed in concentration. The exhaustion from the battle still clung to him, a deep, bone-weary fatigue that made his limbs feel heavy and his thoughts slow. His qi was empty again the two Void Steps had drained him dry once more. His dantian felt like a hollow cave, echoing with emptiness, meridians raw and aching like overused ropes.
"Ahhh..." he let out a long, tired sigh, shoulders slumping as he rubbed his face with one hand, fingers trembling slightly from the lingering weakness. "This emptiness... it's worse than I thought. Huff... feels like my whole body's made of stone."
Anna sat nearby on a fallen log, watching him with calm, sharp eyes, her posture relaxed but alert as always. She had been up before dawn, scouting the perimeter again, her senses spread like invisible threads through the forest. Now she nodded faintly, a small "hmm" of understanding escaping her lips.
"You're adapting faster than most," she said quietly, voice warm but firm, like a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Depletion hits everyone hard at first. Muscles cramp, head throbs, heart stutters... but you? You're already pushing through."
David opened his eyes, meeting her gaze with a weak grin. "Heh... thanks to the inheritance, I guess. And you teaching me all these years." He stretched his arms slowly, wincing as his shoulder pulled. "Nnngh... still hurts, though."
Anna's eyes softened, a faint smile curving her lips as she stood and walked over, sitting beside him on the root. She placed a hand on his good shoulder, squeezing gently. "Pain is a teacher too. Remember that."
David leaned into the touch a little, easy and comfortable, like he always was with her. "Yeah, yeah... I know. 'Pain builds character,' right?" He chuckled softly, the sound light despite the fatigue. "You've said that since I was little, every time I scraped my knee or got knocked down training."
Anna "hehe"d quietly, her hand ruffling his hair affectionately. "And you always groaned, but you listened. My stubborn boy."
They sat in companionable silence for a moment, the forest sounds filling the air—birds chirping, leaves rustling in a gentle breeze.
Then Anna stood, stretching with a quiet "hmmph" of satisfaction. "Enough resting. Time to train."
David groaned dramatically, flopping back against the root. "Ahhhhhn... Mom, come on. I just filled up a bit. Give me a break?"
Anna raised an eyebrow, hands on hips, but her eyes sparkled with amusement. "A break? After one use of void step? You're getting soft."
David laughed, sitting up with a grin. "Heh... fine, fine. What now, teacher?"
Anna scanned the ground, bending to pick up rocks—smooth, fist-sized, roughly the same weight. She tested each in her palm with a quick toss, discarding a few with a soft "tch" if they were too light or uneven. It didn't take long. Soon she had a small pile.
She walked back, holding one out with a knowing smile.
"I've observed you," she said, voice calm but teasing. "The first Void Step took three to five seconds. Too long, huh? In a real fight, that's an eternity. Too much qi wasted on hesitation."
She tossed the rock lightly toward him.
David caught it instinctively, rolling it in his palm with a curious "hmm?"
"Yeah... felt like forever," he admitted, rubbing his neck sheepishly. "But it worked when I needed it."
Anna nodded, eyes serious now. "It did. But we can make it better. Now, use Void Step. Teleport this rock ten meters away. Short distance. Less qi needed."
David's eyes lit up, excitement flickering as he stood. "Heh... alright. Let's see."
He focused.
Imagined the rock appearing ten meters away—clear, simple.
Qi stirred.
Space twisted.
The rock vanished.
A faint thud ten meters away.
It worked—on the first try.
But it had taken three to five seconds.
David exhaled, grinning. "Hah! Got it!"
Anna nodded, a small "hmm" of approval. "Good. But too slow."
She handed him another rock, smile encouraging.
"Again. Faster."
David chuckled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Got it, Mom."
He tried.
And tried.
Each attempt shorter.
But still taken seconds.
Frustration built slowly.
"Ahh..." he huffed after another delay, shaking his head. "Come on... why's it sticking?"
Anna watched, arms crossed loosely, voice gentle. "Breathe. You're thinking too hard. Let it flow."
David nodded, exhaling slowly. "Yeah... okay."
He tried again.
Failure.
"Nnngh..." he grunted in effort.
More tries.
Sweat beaded.
The sun climbed, shadows shortening.
David counted silently—ten, twenty, fifty.
" Huff... this is tougher than the boar," he muttered, wiping his forehead.
Anna "hehe"d softly. "The boar was life or death. This is control. It has different pressure."
David grinned at her. "Heh... you're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Anna's eyes twinkled. "A little. Seeing my boy master heaven-defying power? Yes."
He laughed, the sound light. "Fair enough."
One hundred.
Arm trembling.
Two hundred.
Sweat soaking his tunic.
Three hundred.
Doubt gnawing.
"Ahhhhhn... damn it!"
Anna's voice cut through, soft. "Let go. Don't force. Just... know it's there."
David paused, breathing deep.
"Haaa... okay."
Four hundred.
Forest humming.
Five hundred.
Rock warm in palm.
Six hundred.
Not the pull. The arrival.
Seven hundred.
Anna sat nearby now, watching with quiet pride.
Seven hundred and thirty.
He stopped thinking.
Just thought it.
Space twisted—smooth, natural.
The rock appeared ten meters away.
Instant.
David's eyes widened.
Then laughter—raw, triumphant.
"Haha! Yes! Mom—did you see? Instant!"
Anna's smile widened, genuine, eyes crinkling. "Hehe... I saw. Good job."
David pumped his fist, grinning wide. "Felt like... it just listened."
Anna nodded, standing. "Pure intent. You found it."
He checked inside—83.5% gone, only 16.5% left.
But excitement won.
Then Anna held out another stone.
"Now without touching."
David, confident, "Easy."
Imagined it in his hand.
Nothing.
"Huh?"
Tried again.
Still nothing.
"Ahhhhhhn... what the fuck!"
Frustration hit, face twisting.
Anna burst into laughter, warm "hehehe."
"Every power has rules," she said gently. "This is one."
David huffed, rubbing neck sheepishly. "Heh... guess I got ahead."
Anna squeezed his shoulder.
"Don't be disappointed. This is still heaven-defying."
She motivated softly.
"End for tonight."
She jumped into trees, and vanished.
Half hour later, she returned with cloudberries.
David understood if he roast it will rise smoke.
Took some, juice bursting sweet.
"Mmm... good, Mom."
Anna sat beside, shoulder brushing.