Chapter Five: New Currents

Chapter Five: New Currents

Morning sunlight filtered into the cottage, casting quiet shadows over the room. Old Bai's departure still felt strange to Li Yan. His grandfather had told him he was leaving, plain and simple, and though Li Yan had accepted it, he hadn't anticipated just how different the cottage would feel without Old Bai's presence. The old man had left as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world, leaving behind only a few parting words and an air of calm finality.

Though he missed the steady familiarity of his grandfather's voice, Li Yan pushed forward, keeping to his training as best as he could. The techniques Old Bai had handed down—the teachings of the Emberveil Order—had felt impossible to understand at first, intricate and distant. But after reaching the first layer of Qi Gathering, something had shifted.

Now, each day brought a new sense of fluidity to his practice. The once-complex techniques had started to feel more intuitive, his movements flowing with a control he hadn't experienced before. The Qi within him no longer felt stagnant or difficult to gather. Instead, it had become a clear, steady current, like a stream unlocked. The energy was unique, carrying a warmth that pulsed in sync with Feiyan's flame.

As he practiced, the Breath of the Phoenix Ascendant transformed from an exercise into a natural rhythm. With every breath, Qi gathered easily, filling his dantian with a sense of depth and stability that set it apart from ordinary cultivation. Li Yan could sense that his Qi wasn't like other cultivators'—it held Feiyan's essence, giving it a richness and vitality that felt distinct.

As he moved through each new technique, Li Yan began to feel the power of Feiyan's flame guiding him, amplifying his ability to control and execute each stance with precision. The teachings, once challenging, were becoming more of an extension of himself, his mastery growing as his Qi strengthened.

"Not bad," Feiyan's voice echoed in his mind, though her tone stayed as skeptical as ever. "But let's not pretend this means you've achieved anything significant yet. You've barely begun."

Li Yan smirked, holding back a chuckle. Feiyan's voice had become a regular interruption in his thoughts, often appearing just when he felt he'd made progress. Her tone was laced with a quiet impatience, but she was undeniably connected to him, her presence constant. He could feel her drawing from his Qi, grounding her flame within him, yet there was always a certain distance in her attitude, as if she still hadn't fully accepted him.

"Ordinary cultivators only draw from a shallow pool of Qi," she continued, her voice sharp but edged with something close to approval. "They gather Qi more easily because they have so little of it. But you, with my flame, have something far deeper. That depth will demand more control than the average cultivator can comprehend."

Li Yan took a deep breath, focusing on the core techniques of the Emberveil Order that Old Bai had left for him. These techniques were varied, each designed to develop different aspects of a cultivator's strength and discipline, but together they formed a cohesive foundation. Now, with the Breath of the Phoenix Ascendant allowing him to harness his Qi effortlessly, Li Yan could approach each technique with a newfound clarity and depth.

The Emberveil Order's teachings were divided into three main types, each aimed at a unique aspect of cultivation: Foundation Stances, Energy Flow Forms, and Ember Techniques. These skills were layered and meant to be learned sequentially, as each one built upon the last.

Foundation Stances

The Foundation Stances formed the bedrock of Li Yan's training. These stances weren't flashy or outwardly powerful; they were built around stability, balance, and presence. Each stance demanded precision and an understanding of how to anchor oneself fully to the earth, a requirement to ensure that the practitioner could channel Qi without being knocked off-balance.

The Mountain Root Stance was one of the first he learned. It required him to keep his feet planted as if rooted to the ground, his legs strong and steady. In this stance, he could feel his Qi settling within him, almost as if the earth itself lent him its strength. By inhaling through the Breath of the Phoenix Ascendant, Li Yan could guide Qi down into his core, using it to root himself deeper. The stability allowed him to move with more confidence, no longer fighting his own balance as he practiced.

Then there was the Soaring Crane Stance, which taught him to maintain balance even when poised on one foot. In this position, he could channel his Qi up through his core and into his limbs, keeping himself centered while shifting his weight gracefully. Feiyan's breathing technique made it easy to regulate his Qi flow, letting him maintain stability even during transitions, which was crucial for the more advanced movements.

With each stance, Li Yan felt the flame within him responding, supporting his balance and precision. The once-difficult forms became second nature, his body aligning naturally with the energy he now knew how to control.

Energy Flow Forms

The next layer of his training focused on Energy Flow Forms—movements designed to refine how Qi circulated through the body. These forms demanded a fluid connection between mind and energy, using breath and motion to guide Qi along specific meridians. With the Breath of the Phoenix Ascendant, Li Yan found he could keep his Qi circulating steadily, maintaining an even flow as he practiced each form.

The Rising Tide Form was one such technique. It required him to shift his Qi smoothly from his core to his extremities, mimicking the flow of water. The technique demanded patience and control, as even a slight misalignment could cause the Qi to become uneven or scatter. With the Breath of the Phoenix Ascendant, Li Yan's Qi flowed smoothly, filling his limbs with a calm power that pulsed with Feiyan's warmth. Each movement felt effortless, as though the Qi were flowing on its own, guided by his breath.

Another form, the Ember Stream Flow, focused on sustaining energy in his core while directing bursts of Qi outward in controlled pulses. This technique was ideal for endurance, as it allowed him to maintain a steady reserve of Qi while releasing it in measured amounts. Thanks to Feiyan's breathing technique, Li Yan could gather and release Qi in perfect rhythm. The steady breathing brought his Qi into alignment, making it possible to cycle through the form without tiring, his energy never faltering.

Through these forms, Li Yan began to experience his Qi as something more than a raw force. It became a part of him, something he could channel precisely and without strain. Feiyan's breathing technique had allowed him to elevate these forms to a new level, making each motion smooth and natural, as if the Qi knew exactly where it was supposed to go.

Ember Techniques

Finally, there were the Ember Techniques—the true offensive power of the Emberveil Order. These techniques channeled Qi into concentrated attacks, drawing on a deeper, more intense form of energy. While the Foundation Stances and Energy Flow Forms focused on control and balance, the Ember Techniques required him to harness his Qi with precision and unleash it with purpose.

One of the core Ember Techniques was the Blazing Palm. This technique required him to gather Qi into his hand and release it in a burst of controlled energy. When he first attempted it, he found it difficult to maintain the energy within his palm without it dispersing. But with the Breath of the Phoenix Ascendant, he could focus his Qi more easily, letting it build in his hand like a compressed flame. When he struck, the energy released in a sudden burst, a flare of warmth that left a faint scorch mark on the practice target. The technique felt like an extension of Feiyan's flame, a small taste of the power she had granted him.

Another technique, the Scorching Step, channeled Qi into his feet, allowing him to move with a speed and force that could destabilize opponents or avoid attacks. Each step required a precise release of energy, giving him an explosive burst of movement without losing control. By using Feiyan's breathing technique, he was able to maintain the rhythm, drawing Qi steadily and releasing it through his feet with each stride. This technique gave him agility and power, allowing him to move fluidly through his practice and enhancing his footwork with each step.

But the most challenging of all was the Ember Wave, an advanced technique that required him to release Qi in a sweeping arc, creating a wave of force that extended beyond his reach. This technique called for an immense amount of Qi and control, as the energy had to be sustained through the entire motion. When he attempted it, he could feel the strain, his Qi flaring within him as he struggled to maintain the flow. However, the steady rhythm of the Breath of the Phoenix Ascendant allowed him to keep his Qi steady, guiding it outward with precision and stability. As he released the Ember Wave, he could feel a surge of heat radiate from him, the energy traveling in a wide arc and dissipating only after it reached its target.

With each technique, Li Yan felt the power of Feiyan's flame as a steady undercurrent, strengthening his Qi and sharpening his control. Thanks to the Breath of the Phoenix Ascendant, the techniques that had once seemed impossible were becoming manageable, his body adapting to the demands with surprising speed. He was no longer fighting against his own energy; instead, he was guiding it, allowing it to flow naturally through each stance, form, and strike.

"Acceptable," Feiyan's voice cut through his concentration, her tone still as critical as ever. "But do not think you've mastered anything yet. This is only the beginning, and you have much to prove."

Li Yan resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I get it, Feiyan. Small steps," he replied inwardly, keeping his focus steady.

"Good," she replied, though he could almost hear the hint of a smirk in her tone. "At least you're not as foolish as you appear."

He shook his head, amused despite himself. With each day, he was beginning to understand his connection to Feiyan's flame and the unique path it had opened for him. His training had become a process of discovery, each technique another step toward mastering the power within him.

And as he continued, Li Yan knew he'd barely scratched the surface of what the Emberveil Order's teachings had to offer. But he also knew he was moving forward, one breath at a time, with Feiyan's flame as his guide.