Preparations

The cold stung my skin as I stood in the courtyard of Wind's End Fortress, each breath a misty cloud in the freezing air. The thought of what lay ahead weighed heavily on my mind—breaking through to the Qi Condensation Realm. It wasn't just another step; it was a leap that would change everything. But before I could even attempt it, I had to prepare myself. The elders had been clear: only those who were truly ready would survive. I couldn't afford to fail.

The first part of my preparation was physical. The Coldwind Clan had always taught that a strong body was the foundation of everything else. If my body wasn't ready to handle the intense cold of the Frozen Qi, then all the training in the world wouldn't save me. My days began at dawn, out in the harsh wilderness of the Northern Wastes. This land was as unforgiving as the path I had chosen.

One of the most grueling parts of my training was the ice submersion. Each morning, I forced myself into a small frozen lake beneath the fortress. The water was so cold it felt like knives stabbing into my skin and crawling all over it, numbing my senses. I focused on circulating my internal energy, using it to keep the cold at bay. My breaths were slow, deliberate, each one a struggle to simply keep my body heat against the freezing water. This was more than just physical endurance—it was about getting my body used to the cold, preparing it for the Frozen Qi that would soon course through my veins.

When I climbed out of the water, shivering and tense, I felt more alive than ever. The pain reminded me that I was still just flesh and blood, but each time I could feel myself getting stronger, more in sync with the cold. Each time, I smiled. The path of the Coldwind Clan certainly wasn't meant for the weak.

Evenings were spent in the courtyard, sparring with other disciples. Our fists and feet were coated in thin layers of ice, each strike leaving a trace of frost in the air. The impact of every blow reverberated through my bones, the ice's jagged spikes threatening to pierce my skin and to crush my bone, but instead of weakening me, it made me tougher. My movements became more fluid, more precise, almost like I was dancing with the cold. Every step, every punch, had a purpose. And as I fought, I could feel the ice around my fists growing denser. It wasn't just something that happened; it was a sign that I was getting better at controlling my energy.

In between these intense sessions, I ran through the snow-covered landscape around the fortress. The cold air burned in my lungs, but I kept going. I had to if I wanted to continue on in this path.

But physical strength wasn't enough. The Coldwind Clan's method of cultivating Frozen Qi also required my meridians to be in perfect condition—clear, strong, and ready to handle the intense cold. I spent hours studying the intricate diagrams of the meridian system, learning every path and intersection, understanding where blockages could form. I knew that if I didn't get this right, everything else would fall apart.

Every night, I soaked in herbal baths prepared by the clan's alchemists. The water was infused with rare herbs from the Northern Wastes, each one chosen to help open and strengthen my meridians. As I lay in the warm water, I practiced deep breathing, guiding the medicinal energy through my meridians, feeling them slowly expand and clear. The warmth seeped into my muscles, easing the tension from the day's training. I could feel the changes happening, subtle but real—my meridians were becoming more open, more ready for what was to come.

Along with the baths, I drank a daily tonic made from the same herbs. It was bitter, but I knew it was helping. The tonic worked from within, reinforcing my meridians, making them more flexible, more resilient. I could feel the difference as the days went by, the energy flowing more smoothly, more naturally.

I didn't stop there. I needed to make sure my meridians could handle the Frozen Qi itself, not just any qi. Each day, I performed exercises that involved circulating small amounts of ambient qi through my meridians. It was a delicate process, requiring complete focus as I gently pushed the qi along its paths, widening and reinforcing the meridians in preparation for the larger flow that would come during the breakthrough. Each time, I felt a slight tingling as the qi moved—proof that my meridians were getting more responsive.

I could feel myself growing stronger, with each step forward I was simply growing in confidence that no matter what, I wouldn't fail.

The final part of my preparation was mental and spiritual. I knew that controlling Frozen Qi would require not just a strong body and clear meridians, but also a focused mind and a spirit aligned with the Coldwind Clan's Dao of Frostwind. Each morning before dawn, I went to the Frozen Lotus Chamber, a sacred place within the fortress where the air was so cold it felt like it could freeze you from the inside out. There, I practiced the Glacial Breathing technique, slowing my breaths to match the steady, unyielding pace of glaciers. The cold wrapped around me, but instead of fighting it, I let it in, using it to sharpen my focus. I visualized my body as a frozen landscape, each breath covering it with a gentle layer of snow, cooling and calming everything inside me. This wasn't just about enduring the cold; it was about becoming one with it.

In the afternoons, I spent time contemplating the dual nature of the Dao of Frostwind. I sat quietly, thinking about the balance between stillness and motion, between ice and wind. I imagined myself standing in a vast, frozen tundra, with icy winds swirling around me. I was both the unmoving glacier and the relentless storm, understanding that both forces could exist within me. 

The elders had also taught us the importance of mental fortification. To prepare for the intense focus I would need during the breakthrough, I practiced holding a single thought or image in my mind, such as a perfect snowflake, and maintaining that focus no matter what distractions or discomforts tried to break it. It was harder than I expected. The mind likes to wander, especially when you're tired or in pain. But I forced myself to concentrate, to hold on to that image. I knew that during the breakthrough, my mind would need to be my strongest asset.

As the days went on, I could feel that I was getting closer. My body was strong, my meridians were open, and my mind was sharp. I believed I was ready. The training had been tough, but I had pushed through, and now I was on the verge of something great. The breakthrough to the Qi Condensation Realm was within my reach.

But just as I was finishing my evening meditation, one of the elders approached me. His expression was serious, his eyes reflecting the cold light of the fortress.

"Jinlong," he said, his voice calm but firm, "you've done well in your preparations. Your body, your mind, and your spirit are in harmony. But there is still more to be done."

I looked at him, surprised. "More, Elder? I thought I was ready."

He nodded and handed me a scroll. "You are close, but the final steps are the most critical. This scroll contains the method for attuning your spirit directly to the Frozen Qi you will cultivate. Without this final attunement, the breakthrough could still fail. The process is delicate, but it will ensure that your spirit is fully aligned with the energy you are about to channel. This is the last piece of the puzzle, the final preparation before you attempt the breakthrough."

I took the scroll, feeling its weight in my hands. The ancient symbols of ice and wind etched into its cover were a reminder of the long history of the Coldwind Clan and the countless cultivators who had walked this path before me. The sense of anticipation and determination that had carried me through the past weeks surged within me once more. I knew that the road ahead was still fraught with challenges, but I was resolved to see it through. The next steps would push me even further, testing every ounce of strength and willpower I possessed.

As I walked back to my quarters, the scroll clutched tightly in my hand, I felt my thoughts wander. The breakthrough was within my reach, but the path was still steep and treacherous. Yet, as I looked out over the frozen landscape of the Northern Wastes, I felt a deep sense of calm settle over me. The cold no longer seemed so harsh, the winds no longer so biting. They were a part of me now, as much as the blood in my veins and the breath in my lungs.

I would succeed. I had to.