Post-Breakthrough Adjustment

The cold air of the Frozen Lotus Chamber bit at my skin, but it no longer felt like an enemy. In fact, the chill that once gnawed at me now flowed through my veins, invigorating me with each breath I took. I had broken through to the Qi Condensation Realm, and everything was different. It was like I had shed the skin of my former self, stepping into something new—something powerful.

I sat cross-legged, eyes closed, feeling the surge of qi radiating through my meridians, each pulse more intense than the last. My dantian, which had once struggled to hold even the smallest amount of energy, now brimmed with a well of frozen qi. The energy flowed steadily through my meridians, cool and steady like the eternal ice that surrounded the Coldwind Clan's fortress.

Feng Tao stood beside me, his presence calm yet watchful. "Your body is still adjusting," he said, his voice steady. "The energy surging through you may feel powerful, but until you can fully control it, it's as much a danger as it is a strength."

His words rang true. I could feel it—the unrestrained energy coursing through my meridians, eager to be used, but it lacked the precision I needed. A single misstep, and the surge of power could spiral out of control. My mind raced back to the moments before my breakthrough, the strain of guiding the Frozen Qi through the Glacial Soul Alignment, and the final rush of power as I pushed myself into this new realm. Now, I needed to tame that power.

"Let's start by honing your control," Feng Tao suggested. "Stand."

I rose to my feet, the cold stone beneath me sending a familiar shiver up my legs. Despite the surge of energy, my body still felt every bite of the frost. That much hadn't changed. I followed Feng Tao's lead as he demonstrated a simple stance—legs apart, arms loose, ready to channel the qi through my body.

"Begin circulating your qi," he instructed, "but this time, keep it contained to your arms. You'll learn to move it precisely, without allowing the flow to spill into the rest of your body."

I nodded, closing my eyes as I reached into my dantian and gently drew on the energy stored there. I could feel it respond to my will, like a river slowly beginning to flow. The challenge now was to guide that flow, not letting it rush through me unchecked.

I focused on my arms, channeling the qi into my hands, feeling the cold energy swirl through my veins. The first few attempts were sloppy, the qi surging too fast and spilling into my chest, causing a strange discomfort as the energy tangled within me. But after several deep breaths and a moment of stillness, I found the rhythm—slow, steady, controlled. The qi moved through me like a calm breeze, cool and smooth.

"Well done," Feng Tao said, though his tone remained measured. "Now, release it."

I opened my eyes, focusing on the stone wall before me. With a small push, I let the qi flow out from my palms. A faint blue light shimmered in the air before me as the cold energy condensed into the space, but it fizzled quickly, dissolving into the frozen air.

"Not enough focus," Feng Tao remarked. "You must channel your intent into the release. Qi without purpose is just energy. You must command it."

I see. Command the qi. It wasn't just about letting it flow through me; I had to impose my will on it. I closed my eyes again, focusing more deeply this time. I felt the qi gathering in my dantian once more, then flowing into my arms, but this time I imagined it taking shape. My intent was to form something more solid, more substantial. Ice. I envisioned the cold coalescing into a blade.

With a sharp breath, I pushed the qi out again. This time, the shimmer in the air held. A thin, jagged shard of ice materialized before me, hanging in the air for a brief moment before shattering into tiny fragments.

"Better," Feng Tao said, though I could hear the hint of approval in his voice. "That's the first step. Now, continue."

For hours, I repeated the process, learning to guide my qi, release it with intent, and form the cold into something tangible. Each time I succeeded, the shard of ice grew stronger, more defined. My body felt the strain of each attempt, my muscles tightening and relaxing with the ebb and flow of energy, but I also felt the increasing ease with which I could call on my power.

By the end of the day, I had crafted a small, perfectly formed ice blade that hovered in the air for several long moments before I willed it to dissolve.

"Hahahaha" I let out a tired laugh from the feeling of accomplishment after numerous hours of training

Feng Tao stepped forward, his gaze appraising. "You've grasped the basics, but now comes the true challenge—sustained control. Let's begin a new method of circulation. It will help you stabilize the flow of qi in your body."

He raised a hand, and a thin scroll appeared in his palm. "This is the Coldwind Clan's Glacial Meridian Flow technique. It will guide the qi through your meridians in a more refined manner, ensuring that your energy remains balanced and efficient. This technique will allow you to harness the full potential of Frozen Qi without straining your body."

I took the scroll from his hand, unrolling it carefully. The script was intricate, detailing the pathways the qi would follow through the meridians, starting from the dantian and spiraling outward in controlled, deliberate flows.

"Study it well," Feng Tao advised. "Once you've memorized the pattern, we will begin the meditation."

Over the next few hours, I sat in silent focus, committing the technique to memory. I traced the pathways in my mind, imagining how the qi would flow through me, refining it further with each cycle. When I was ready, I nodded to Feng Tao, who merely inclined his head in approval.

I sat in a meditative posture, breathing in the cold air deeply as I began circulating my qi once more. This time, it was different. The Glacial Meridian Flow technique guided the energy with precision, ensuring that not a drop of qi was wasted. I could feel the difference immediately—the qi moved like a river channeled through a well-carved path, smooth and strong.

As I meditated, the cold of the Frozen Lotus Chamber seemed to meld with the qi inside me, reinforcing the energy in my dantian. My connection to the Frozen Qi deepened with each cycle, and I began to feel a strange resonance between myself and the very air around me, as if I were becoming one with the ice.

Hours passed, though it felt like mere moments. When I finally opened my eyes, my body felt lighter, yet more solid. The flow of qi had stabilized. The initial turbulence of breaking through had passed, leaving only a sense of clarity and control.

"Well done," Feng Tao said, his voice echoing through the chamber. "You've taken your first steps into the Qi Condensation Realm. But do not mistake this for mastery. This is only the beginning. But if you remain diligent, your potential is limitless."

I nodded, standing up and feeling the newfound strength in my limbs, the cold energy coursing through me in a much more controlled manner than before.

The Qi Condensation Realm was vast, and I had only just begun to explore its depths. I would definitely grow stronger here. 

I will definitely do my name justice.