One Step Closer

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows as Li Qingyue made her way to Zhuan Ming's house. She approached the door and knocked firmly. Moments later, Zhuan Ming emerged, his expression calm. "Today, we will train your body," he said without a greeting. "We're heading to the forest."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and began walking, Li Qingyue following a few steps behind. The forest was dense, the air thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the occasional call of a distant spirit beast. Li Qingyue's frost-like eyes flickered with a mix of curiosity and apprehension as they ventured deeper into the woods.

They finally reached a small clearing, where a massive boulder sat in the center, its surface weathered and cracked from years of exposure to the elements. Zhuan Ming stopped and turned to face Li Qingyue, his expression serious. "This is where we begin," he said, gesturing to the boulder. "Your body is strong, but it's not strong enough. If you want to survive what's coming, you'll need to push yourself beyond your limits."

Li Qingyue frowned. "And how exactly do you plan to help me do that?"

Zhuan Ming's lips curved into a faint smirk. "By making you hit that boulder. Repeatedly."

Li Qingyue blinked, unsure if he was joking. "You want me to… punch a rock?"

"Not just punch it," Zhuan Ming clarified. "You're going to channel your spiritual energy into your strikes, focusing on breaking through the boulder's surface. It's not just about physical strength—it's about control, precision, and endurance."

Li Qingyue crossed her arms, her skepticism evident. "And how is this supposed to help me?"

Zhuan Ming's expression turned serious again. "Your body is corroding from the inside. The imbalance of spiritual energy is eating away at you, and if we don't stabilize it soon, you won't last much longer. This training will help you strengthen your body and learn to control the energy within you. It's not a cure, but it's a start."

Li Qingyue hesitated, her gaze shifting to the boulder. She knew he was right and she was running out of time. If this was her only chance, she had to take it. "Fine," she said, stepping forward. "Let's get started."

With a determined exhale, she took a stance and began punching the boulder. Each blow sent a sharp pain radiating through her hands and up her arms, the impact reverberating through her entire body. "Good," Zhuan Ming said, his voice steady. "Now, each time you hit the rock, try to channel some spiritual energy."

Li Qingyue raised her fists, her knuckles already raw and bleeding. She concentrated, trying to merge her physical strikes with the flow of spiritual energy within her. Yet, despite her efforts, the energy refused to cooperate. A look of disappointment flashed across her face, and for a moment, she wanted to give up. But then she thought of Zhuan Ming watching her, his unwavering belief in her potential, and she pushed forward, trying again.

Hours passed, and her strikes grew slower, her body weary. Yet, she refused to stop. Sweat dripped from her brow, mingling with the dirt and dust that clung to her skin. Her hands were a mess, but she pushed through the pain, channeling every ounce of her strength into each strike. She could feel the energy of the spirit spring responding faintly to her efforts, swirling around her like a gentle breeze. Though she still couldn't fully channel her spiritual energy, she knew she was making progress.

"Okay, that's enough for today," Zhuan Ming said finally. "Rest up. I'll channel some pure spiritual energy into you to help you recover and deal with the corrosion."

Li Qingyue stopped, panting heavily as she caught her breath. Then, realizing what his words implied, she removed her outer robe, revealing her back. Zhuan Ming stepped closer and placed his hands on her skin. Upon contact, she flinched—his hands felt cold compared to the warmth of her skin. "Relax," he said firmly. "If you tense up, I might accidentally hurt you."

Li Qingyue took a deep breath and forced her body to relax. Zhuan Ming began channeling pure spiritual energy into her, and she felt it coursing through her body like a cool, revitalizing stream. The energy flowed through her meridians, soothing her aching muscles and making the corrosion around the spirit roots lessen. It was an odd sensation—both invigorating and calming at the same time.

As the energy continued to flow, Li Qingyue felt a strange clarity wash over her. The fatigue that had weighed her down began to lift, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose. She could feel the imbalance within her body slowly stabilizing, even if only temporarily.

When Zhuan Ming finally withdrew his hands, Li Qingyue turned to face him, her expression a mix of gratitude and determination. "Thank you," she said quietly.

Zhuan Ming nodded.

Li Qingyue nodded, pulling her robe back on. As they made their way back through the forest, the sun had fully set, leaving the world bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. Despite the exhaustion and pain, Li Qingyue felt a flicker of hope. She was one step closer to survival.