Lingqi settled into the rhythm of the game, his movements now a seamless flow of agility and anticipation. He danced past the portly teen with effortless grace, intercepting the ball between strides and leaving Chen's protests echoing behind him.

Focused solely on his target—Gao Ling—he charged forward, ball leading the way. A glint of mischief flickered in Gao's eyes, and Li Bie recognized the intent too late, calling out in warning as Gao's powerful kick sent the ball hurtling through the air, aimed directly at Lingqi's head.

"Duck!" Li Bie's urgent cry pierced through the air. Yuyan gasped, her hand over her mouth in shock.

A surge of instinctual strength rose within Lingqi, eclipsing the impending danger. With a sudden burst, he met the speeding ball with his head, redirecting its path with astonishing force. The leather sphere ricocheted wildly, embedding itself into a tree trunk with a resounding thud, leaving a smoldering hole before coming to a rest among the foliage below.

Silence fell over the courtyard, broken only by Li Bie's stunned disbelief and Yuyan's wide-eyed amazement.

"That was... incredible," Li Bie managed, finally finding words.

"Incredible, my foot! He nearly took my head off!" Gao's outrage was palpable as he stormed toward Lingqi, grabbing the younger boy by the collar of his robe.

"What were you thinking?!" Gao's voice was harsh, his eyes cold and accusing.

Lingqi looked up, confusion etched on his face. Fear coursed through him—not just of Gao's wrath, but of his own newfound abilities. He hadn't meant to cause harm; his body had acted on its own accord.

"I... I didn't mean to—" Lingqi began, faltering under Gao's glare.

"Gao, enough!" Li Bie intervened firmly, stepping between them.

Gao released Lingqi with a scowl, turning his ire toward the auburn haired senior. "Are you serious? He could have killed me!"

"You could have done the same," Li Bie retorted, his tone unwavering. "He simply returned what you gave him, and then some."

"That was an accident!" Gao insisted.

"Accident or not, your actions were out of line. If anyone needs reprimanding, it should be you," Li Bie asserted, crossing his arms.

"What?!" Gao's indignation was clear. His fists were balled into white hot knuckles, his teeth gritted against one another, grating.

"You heard me. You know the tenets, and you acted against them," Li Bie's tone remained steadfast. "Now, why don't you head inside and cool off? I'm sure Master Zhang will have a few choice words for you."

The air was thick with tension, and the other students watched the two seniors face off, neither giving an inch.

Finally, cooler heads prevailed, and Gao begrudgingly complied, storming off toward the academy's main hall, shooting a final glare back at Lingqi.

The other students let out a collective sigh of relief.

Li Bie turned to Lingqi with a reassuring smile. "I apologize for him. He's not a bad person, just... prideful. Are you alright?"

Lingqi nodded meekly. "I'm okay."

"Good. You had us worried there," Li Bie chuckled softly.

"Um, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to... I just reacted," Lingqi muttered, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"It's alright. I know you didn't mean any harm," Li Bie reassured gently. "But let me caution you—Prana is powerful. Be careful how you wield it."

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"Prana..." Lingqi echoed, the word now imbued with a newfound awe.

"Yes. Prana is our spiritual energy, our inner power," Li Bie explained kindly. "It's through Prana that we achieve extraordinary feats. But for someone as young as you to wield it without training..."

Li Bie's voice trailed off as he pondered the implications.

"Is that bad?" Lingqi asked, twiddling his thumbs.

Li Bie hesitated before speaking. "Perhaps... for now, let's call off the game. Lingqi, come with me," he decided, guiding Lingqi toward the academy's inner chambers.

Yuyan cast Lingqi a sympathetic glance as she followed the other students inside, leaving him alone with Li Bie.

"Follow me," Li Bie said gently, leading Lingqi towards the headmaster's study.

Lingqi's mind raced with uncertainty, but he trusted Li Bie's guidance. The senior student had a respectable air of authority about him.

"Here we are," Li Bie announced softly as they entered the serene confines of the headmaster's study.

Master Zhang looked up from his scrolls with a quizzical expression as they approached. Li Bie bowed respectfully, and Lingqi followed suit, acknowledging the headmaster.

"Forgive the interruption, Master Zhang. But there's something you should know about what happened in the courtyard," Li Bie began, taking a seat, with Lingqi seated beside him.

Master Zhang raised an eyebrow, prompting Li Bie to continue.

"Lingqi displayed a remarkable control of Prana during our Cuju match," Li Bie explained.

"Indeed?" Master Zhang's interest was piqued, his gaze shifting to Lingqi.

"He redirected the ball using Shui, even without undergoing the meditation rituals," Li Bie added.

"How extraordinary," the headmaster mused, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

Master Zhang regarded Lingqi thoughtfully, then addressed Li Bie. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Please gather the students in the courtyard; we will convene shortly."

"Yes, Master Zhang," Li Bie acknowledged, bowing again before exiting the study, leaving Lingqi alone with the headmaster.

"Now, Lingqi," Master Zhang began warmly, "we have much to discuss."

Lingqi looked up, his face a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. "What's going on? Am I in trouble?"

"No, quite the opposite," Master Zhang reassured him with a gentle smile. "Your potential is extraordinary, and I wish to help you cultivate it."

"I don't understand... how can you help me?" Lingqi asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"By teaching you," Master Zhang replied kindly, leaning back in his chair. "Tell me, what do you know of the art of cultivation?"

Lingqi shook his head slowly. "Nothing."

"I suspected as much," the headmaster chuckled softly. "Cultivation is the process of harnessing Prana to improve one's mind and body. With practice, you can achieve remarkable feats."

"You mean like what I did with the ball?" Lingqi asked, seeking confirmation.

"Precisely," Master Zhang affirmed. "Learning to cultivate your Prana will enable you to achieve even greater things."

Lingqi's eyes widened with wonder. "So... if I learn, I could do more amazing things?"

"Yes, among many other benefits," Master Zhang nodded. "But it's unusual for one to manifest Prana without first undergoing the meditation rituals."

Lingqi tilted his head, curious. "What are these meditation rituals?"

"They are techniques taught at the academy to help students channel and control their Prana," Master Zhang explained patiently. "You demonstrated a rare ability to manifest Prana without this training. There may be a reason for that..."

Master Zhang trailed off, studying Lingqi intently.

"Is that... bad?" Lingqi asked tentatively.

Master Zhang considered his response carefully. "Before we discuss this further, I must ask a favor from you."

Lingqi nodded, eager yet apprehensive as Master Zhang continued, "Please refrain from discussing this with the other students. What I am about to tell you is for your ears only."

"I understand," Lingqi agreed, his curiosity tempered by a growing sense of responsibility.

"Tell me, Lingqi," Master Zhang continued, leaning forward, "when your village was attacked, did you feel anything... unusual?"

Lingqi closed his eyes and brought himself back to that fateful night. He remembered the fear and panic he felt as he watched his father get brutally cut down.

His mother—his poor mother—they pinned her down, forced themselves on top of her, and—

Lingqi's hands were clasped together so tightly that his body began to shake.

"I felt... fear, anger, pain..."

"But was there something else?" Master Zhang pressed gently.

Lingqi closed his eyes, trying to recollect. He remembered the gentle breeze of the summer’s night, yet he called that sensation into question. The chill, it was different, not a gentle breeze, but a foreboding wind.

"There was... a chill. Like a cold shiver running through me."

Master Zhang nodded knowingly. "That chill is the key. It indicates the awakening of your Prana."

"My Prana..." Lingqi echoed softly, absorbing the revelation.

"Yes. Your ability to manifest Prana is tied to that emotional upheaval," Master Zhang explained patiently. "The meditation rituals were meant to guide you to this realization, but you achieved it differently."

Lingqi struggled to process the implications. "So... my parents... their deaths are why I can use Prana?"

"In a way, yes," Master Zhang confirmed gently. "Your abilities are rare, Lingqi. You must learn to control them, for your own sake and for others'."

Lingqi nodded solemnly, overwhelmed yet determined.

"Will you allow me to teach you, Lingqi?" Master Zhang asked sincerely.

Lingqi met the headmaster's gaze with newfound resolve. "Yes, I would like that very much."