Chapter 36–Training at the Lake – Walking on Air… or Sinking?

Not long after, a messenger arrived, informing them that the sect master wished to see them.

Inside the grand hall of the Storm Horizon Sect, Lei Tianxing sat upon his throne, his piercing gaze falling upon them.

"I have been waiting for a disciple like you, Tianming," he said. "One who could rise beyond fate itself."

He then gestured toward a large scroll placed before him. A map.

"This," he continued, "is the key to your next destination. You seek the seven fragments of the Primordial Jade, and your first step must take you to the Nether Abyss Sect. There, you will find what you need to continue your journey."

The three of them exchanged glances, understanding the gravity of this moment.

But Lei Tianxing wasn't finished. "Before you leave, however, there is one last thing you must do."

He turned to the side, and from the shadows, a figure stepped forward. A young man, his robes fluttering in the wind despite the stillness of the hall. One of the sect's prodigies.

"I've arranged for each of you to learn the Storm Horizon Sect's signature wind technique from one of our prodigies. You'll need it for what lies ahead."

Lei Tianxing's voice was firm. "You will train with Shi Feng, and only when he deems you ready will you depart. "

"Xueyan you must also take this chance and

learn this technique".The sect leader said to his daughter.

The next morning, the three stood at the edge of Sky Mirror Lake, a vast body of water so still that it reflected the heavens like a perfect mirror.

Shi Feng stood before them, arms crossed. "Your first lesson—walk across the lake without sinking."

Jiang Chen blinked. "That's it?"

Shi Feng smirked. "It's harder than you think."

Tianming stepped forward first, his expression serious. He could already feel the pull of the water beneath the surface, but he knew this was nothing more than a test of concentration. His celestial power pulsed within him, and he summoned the wind beneath his feet, allowing it to carry him forward.

His first step was tentative, but he quickly found his rhythm. The wind whispered beneath his soles, and his feet seemed to float, barely grazing the surface of the lake. With each successive step, his confidence grew.

He glided smoothly across the surface, barely making a ripple.

"Not bad," Shi Feng commented, his gaze sharp.

Jiang Chen, always competitive, was next. He approached the lake with a grin, his muscles tensing in preparation. His energy flared, and he took his first step confidently—too confidently

Jiang Chen's movements clumsy at first. His foot dipped into the water, but he quickly adjusted, using bursts of energy to push himself forward.

"Well, that was a bit too much energy, huh?" Jiang Chen said, chuckling nervously as he steadied himself. He tried again, this time with more control. His foot remained above the water, though his movements were less graceful than Tianming's. The effort to stay balanced was evident, but he persevered.

Then came Lei Xueyan.

With a fiery spirit, Xueyan bounded toward the water. Her blue hair, like waves of the deep sea, shimmered under the sun as it whipped around her face. She was always so spirited, her confidence radiating from her like a blaze.

She stepped onto the water with determination—

SPLASH!

The wind rushed around her, but her steps were too forceful. Her foot splashed into the water with a loud, echoing sound. She sank almost immediately, the water swallowing her whole.

A long silence followed.

"Wha—?!" she sputtered, surfacing a moment later, her bright blue hair now clinging to her face. She wiped her eyes, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks.

The others burst into laughter. Jiang Chen chuckled, a hand over his mouth to stifle his amusement. "Well, that was... not graceful."

Tianming grinned, his eyes glinting with playful humor. "I thought you were the expert at walking on air, Xueyan. Guess the water's not a fan of your confidence."

"You two are never going to let me live this down, are you?" Xueyan snapped, shaking her head, water dripping from her hair.

She stepped forward again, this time with more control. She tried to focus on her energy, feeling the wind wrap around her body. However, with each new attempt, she sank again and again, the water refusing to cooperate with her fierce determination. Her blue hair now drenched, stuck to her face, and she found herself sputtering with each failed try.

Tianming shook his head, a grin playing on his lips. "Xueyan, you sure you're not trying to swim?"

Jiang Chen couldn't contain his laughter this time. "You're a sinking ship, Xueyan! Who knew the 'spirited one' would sink so fast?"

Xueyan's eyes narrowed as she glared at them, though the faint flush on her cheeks betrayed her annoyance. She shook her head again, sending droplets flying from her wet blue locks. "I'll show you both, just watch."

Shi Feng raised an eyebrow but smiled faintly. "Seems like someone's struggling with her confidence now."

Xueyan climbed out of the lake once more, her blue hair drenched and her mouth puckering in frustration. Her usual confidence was now tinged with frustration, but there was a fire in her eyes that spoke volumes. She wouldn't give up.

The next few attempts went no better. Splash! She sank again, and this time, the water seemed to swallow her whole, leaving only the faint ripples behind.

Finally, Xueyan took a deep breath, letting the frustration roll off her. This wasn't about brute force or speed—it was about control. She closed her eyes for a moment, listening to the wind and feeling the pulse of the lake beneath her.

When she opened her eyes, her expression was calm and focused.

This time, when she stepped forward, she didn't rush. She focused her energy carefully, using the wind beneath her feet to help her glide across the water. Her steps were light and measured, the wind around her becoming a whisper, almost gentle.

Step by step, Xueyan stayed afloat, and finally, after a long, tense moment, she was walking across the surface of the lake with steady confidence, a victorious grin spreading across her face.

Xueyan couldn't help but flash a triumphant grin at the others. "Told you I would do it."

Jiang Chen, eyes wide, gave an exaggerated bow. "Congratulations! You're not just a sinking ship anymore."

Tianming nodded, impressed. "Looks like you figured it out

"Guess that's a lesson for us all," Tianming said, nodding toward her. "Patience goes a long way."

Xueyan's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Next time, I'll beat you both to the other side of the lake."

Shi Feng, his lips curling into a faint smile, clapped his hands. "Well done. That's the spirit."

The trio spent the next few hours refining their technique, each one learning something new. The laughter and playful teasing continued, with Jiang Chen and Tianming always ready to joke at Xueyan's expense, but their camaraderie grew as they learned.

After their training session, the group returned to the sect to recover, their bodies sore from the intense concentration and energy usage. They were treated to a lavish banquet in the sect hall, where they ate heartily and shared stories. They had come a long way since their initial meeting in the Storm Horizon Sect

The next day their journey to the Nether Abyss Sect would begin.

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What Comes Next in Chapter 37:

-Tianming, Jiang Chen, and Xie Yuan leave the Storm Horizon Sect.

+A hidden threat lurks along their path.

-The journey towards Nether Abyss Sect's begin.

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