Yuxuan, having assumed responsibility for Anran’s integration and recovery, led him to the outer sect. The outer sect was a world away from the opulence of the inner sanctum. Here, the architecture was simplistic, characterized by plain wooden structures and communal spaces that supported a rigorous but equitable training environment. Anran found himself assigned to a small, sparsely furnished room that he would share with another novice who was currently out doing the assigned tasks of an outer disciple.
“I will be your guide and mentor from today,” Yuxuan announced with a calm authority that both comforted and commanded respect. Anran, still adjusting to his new surroundings, responded with gratitude, “Thank you, Yuxuan, for your help,” his voice imbued with a softness born of relief and deference.
After ensuring Anran was settled, Yuxuan retired to his quarters for the night. Later, Anran’s roommate returned from his duties and introduced himself as Lin Feng Ming.
Feng Ming with his short, tousled green hair that framed his face. His light brown eyes were soft and contemplative, exuded a natural and rustic charm. His gaze, gentle yet fleeting, rarely met others for long, hinting at an introverted nature. His expressions were subtle, with slight smiles and nods sufficing where others might use words. He carried himself with a reserved demeanour, but despite this, there was an aura of quiet confidence about him.
“Hello, I’m Lin Feng Ming. Looks like we’ll be sharing this room,” he introduced himself with a tentative smile and a handshake.
“Anran. Nice to meet you,” Anran replied, shaking his hand.
At the crack of dawn the next morning, Feng Ming guided Anran through the communal exercises, demonstrating the sect’s disciplined harmony. The early morning air was crisp and cool, the sun just beginning to rise over the horizon, casting a golden hue over the training grounds. Disciples of all ages moved in unison, their movements were precise and collective that seemed to welcome the rising sun above them.
“Keep your back straight and breathe steadily,” Feng Ming advised as they went through the morning exercises. Anran, feeling his muscles stretch and warm, mirrored Feng Ming’s motions attentively.
Their days were filled with lessons on the foundational principles of qi and its importance in cultivation under the strict guidance of a white-bearded elder. Anran listened intently, absorbing every word.
Afternoons were reserved on chores like fetching water from the nearby river and tending to the gardens. Despite the physical demands, Anran discovered a strange sense of peace in the rhythmic routine. The scent of fresh earth and the vibrant colours of blooming flowers created a calming environment and soothing his spirit.
However, Anran couldn’t escape the envious whispers of other disciples, questioning the special attention he received from Yuxuan since he had not entered through the usual rigorous entrance exam. Many felt that he was unworthy of Yuxuan’s tutelage.
“Why does he get special treatment?” one disciple whispered to another, unaware of the complexities of Anran’s past. “He didn’t even pass the entrance exam.”
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“Must be nice to have connections,” another murmured, casting a disdainful glance at Anran.
The whispers of the other disciples had no effect on Anran, as he looked forward to his training sessions with Yuxuan. Yuxuan was his only anchor, the first person he met since his amnesia.
During their initial training in a secluded clearing, Yuxuan’s teaching style was both nurturing and stringent. The distant sounds of the sect activities faded as Yuxuan’s presence provided a steady reassurance.
“Close your eyes and focus inward,” Yuxuan instructed. “Feel the energy within you and guide it towards the first point, the Conception Vessel.”
Anran closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to feel the flow of energy within his body. His qi listened to his commands and tried to flow to the first point, the Conception Vessel. This meridian, which runs along the front of the body, is crucial in the initial stages of cultivation as it helps regulate the body’s qi and connects various other meridians.
Opening and strengthening the Conception Vessel is often seen as the first step toward achieving a balance of energy within the body, allowing the cultivator to effectively gather, circulate, and control Qi. This process is essential for moving on to higher levels of cultivation and accessing more advanced techniques and powers.
However, Anran’s qi behaved erratically, surging and waning in ways that perplexed even Yuxuan. The Qi within his meridians seemed to be also filled with impurities, which usually indicates that something is causing his qi flow to be blocked or that he has a weak foundation. But in Anran’s case, the flow itself seems to not be able to reach the Conception Vessel, as if it were being sucked away, which was odd.
Yuxuan found this anomaly troubling. “It’s like his energy is fighting against itself,” he thought, frowning. Despite Anran’s evident potential, something was clearly amiss with his cultivation process.
Not fully understanding the peculiar phenomenon affecting Anran, Yuxuan decided to pause their session, concerned yet determined to unravel the mystery. “Let’s stop here for today,” he said, masking his worry with a measured tone. “We’ll continue to work on this.”
That night, maybe due to the cultivation triggering something Anran started to be plagued by a vivid nightmare. He found himself in a burning village, the screams of multiple people echoing in his ears. The smell of burning wood choked him, making it hard to breathe. The thick, billowing smoke irritated his nose and throat, causing discomfort and a stinging sensation in his respiratory passages.
He woke in a cold sweat, his heart racing. There was a lingering sense of fear and confusion as his mind struggles to separate the vivid, terrifying images of the dream from reality. His body is covered in a cold sweat, and he felt an unsettling chill down his spine. The room seemed unnaturally quiet and still, heightening his sense of unease.
The realism of the nightmare lingers in his mind, making it difficult to reassure himself that it was just a dream. Even as reality sets back in, the emotional residue left him shaken, the sense of unease persisting long after he had awakened.
The next morning, Anran joined Feng Ming for the daily exercises, but his movements were stiff, his mind clouded by the remnants of his nightmare. Feng Ming, perceptive to Anran’s distracted demeanor, expressed his concern, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, just a rough night,” Anran replied, trying to dismiss his unease with a strained smile.
As the day progressed, Anran found it difficult to focus. His thoughts kept drifting back to his unsettling dream and the peculiar challenges in his training with Yuxuan. He was beginning to realize that his path to mastery and his integration into the sect, perhaps even his recovery from amnesia, were entangled with mysteries that stretched beyond ordinary cultivation challenges. These insights weighed heavily on him, casting a shadow over his attempts to establish his place within the disciplined structure of the outer sect.