The days following the tournament passed in a blur. Kai Xian had not expected to perform as well as he did, but the victory—though not without its cost—was a step forward. His body still felt weak and his Qi unruly, but there was an undeniable shift within him. The faint remnants of his past strength, the Chrono Strikes, had manifested once again. Yet, he knew this power wasn’t enough to defeat the true challenges ahead, especially with the rumors swirling about prodigies from rival clans and sects.
The Kai Clan's training grounds had become a routine of endless practice, drilling techniques, refining his Qi, and testing his limits. But as each day passed, Kai Xian couldn’t shake the feeling that the true battle was not just about cultivation—it was about survival. Survival in a world where everyone seemed to have a hidden agenda, where every move was watched, and where even the smallest mistake could cost him dearly.
---
Kai Xian stood at the edge of the training field, sweat trickling down his brow as he practiced his sword forms. The blade in his hand felt foreign, despite having used it countless times. His movements were precise, but there was a lack of fluidity—a reminder that his cultivation was still in its infancy.
“Your form is better,” a voice called from behind.
He turned to see Li Mei approaching, her expression thoughtful as she observed his practice. Her long black hair swayed with the wind, and her usual graceful demeanor remained unchanged.
“I’m still struggling,” Kai Xian admitted, lowering the sword. “The techniques are there, but my Qi isn’t flowing the way it used to. I feel… disconnected.”
Li Mei’s eyes softened, and she walked over to him. “You’re pushing yourself too hard. Remember, cultivating your Qi takes time. You can’t rush it.”
Kai Xian frowned. “I know. But I don’t have time. The rumors about the other prodigies—they’re true, aren’t they? There are younger masters from the other kingdoms, and they’re growing stronger by the day.”
Li Mei nodded. “Yes, but that’s not something you need to worry about right now. You’ve already made great strides. The Chrono Strikes alone are evidence of that. And your mastery of the Kai Clan’s techniques is progressing.”
Kai Xian clenched his fists. He didn’t feel any progress. He could sense the rising strength of his peers—the younger disciples were beginning to surpass him in terms of raw power, even if they lacked the refinement and ancient techniques he had once mastered.
“It’s not enough,” Kai Xian said, his voice tinged with frustration. “I need to be stronger. I need to catch up.”
Li Mei took a step closer, placing her hand gently on his arm. “Strength is not just about power, Kai Xian. It’s about control. Your heart, your mind, your soul—they must be in sync with your Qi. That’s the true meaning of cultivation.”
Kai Xian looked down at her hand, feeling the warmth of her touch seep through his worn sleeve. It was a simple gesture, but it filled him with a sense of comfort he hadn’t felt in a long time. Her words, too, resonated deeply within him. Perhaps she was right. It wasn’t just about brute strength. But his thoughts were clouded by the vision of the prodigies—the ones who seemed to control their powers with ease, who wielded techniques that left others in awe.
Before he could speak further, a sharp voice cut through the air.
“Young Master Kai Xian!”
Both he and Li Mei turned to see a familiar figure approaching. It was Elder Kai Li, his expression stern but with a hint of pride.
“You’ve been working hard, I see,” Elder Kai Li said, his eyes scanning Kai Xian with a critical yet approving gaze. “But there’s something else I need to discuss with you. Come with me.”
---
Kai Xian followed Elder Kai Li through the Kai Clan’s sprawling estate. The clan's territory was vast, bordered by ancient stone walls and towering gates, with various departments dedicated to different aspects of cultivation. As they walked, Kai Xian couldn’t help but notice the bustling activity around him—the alchemy department, where potions were brewed, the blacksmith’s forge, where weapons were reforged with rare ores, and the sacred library, a place of knowledge where ancient techniques were preserved. The sound of forging hammers, chanting alchemists, and pages turning in the library filled the air.
Finally, they arrived at a small, secluded courtyard where a few elders and disciples had gathered. There, standing in the center, was a large, intricately carved stone pillar. It was a spiritual stone, used to measure the strength and purity of one’s Qi. It was said that only the truly exceptional could achieve a high rating when testing their Qi against the stone. The spiritual stone glowed faintly with a blue hue, its surface rippling with the ambient energy in the air.
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Elder Kai Li turned to face Kai Xian. “Today is your turn to test your Qi. You’ve trained for weeks, and now it’s time to see where you truly stand.”
Kai Xian nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. The idea of testing his Qi in front of others made him uneasy. He wasn’t sure he was ready. But there was no turning back. Not now.
“Go ahead,” Elder Kai Li said, motioning toward the stone.
Kai Xian stepped forward, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He focused inward, searching for his Qi. It still felt unstable, sluggish, but there was something within him—a deep well of untapped power, a spark of his former self.
He raised his hand and touched the stone.
A wave of energy surged through his body, and the stone reacted instantly, glowing brighter as his Qi flowed into it. The air around him crackled with energy, and the spiritual stone began to hum, its surface shimmering with the force of Kai Xian’s Qi. His heart raced as he pushed his energy deeper into the stone, willing it to reach its full potential.
But the stone flickered. It flickered again. And then it dimmed.
Kai Xian’s eyes snapped open, and the stone’s glow faded.
The room fell silent.
“Young Master…” Elder Kai Li’s voice was low, filled with a mixture of disappointment and concern. “Your Qi is still weak. You haven’t made the progress we expected.”
Kai Xian’s shoulders slumped. He knew this was coming. He had always known. His cultivation wasn’t progressing fast enough. The stone’s reaction—faint and fleeting—was proof of that.
Elder Kai Li stepped forward, his expression unreadable. “This isn’t the end. But it’s clear that you need more than just practice. You need to seek out a deeper understanding of your Qi. Perhaps… it’s time to visit the Alchemy Department and seek the advice of the clan’s alchemists. They might have something to help you.”
Kai Xian nodded silently, his heart heavy. The path ahead wasn’t going to be easy, but he had no choice. He needed to find a way to accelerate his growth.
---
The Alchemy Department was a sprawling complex within the Kai Clan’s estate. It was filled with the scent of rare herbs, the sound of bubbling cauldrons, and the hum of potent energy. As Kai Xian entered, he was greeted by the sight of elders and disciples working diligently to refine potions, concoct elixirs, and study the art of Qi enhancement.
Elder Kai Li led him to a side chamber where an elderly alchemist stood hunched over a table, carefully grinding a rare herb with a mortar and pestle. The alchemist’s long white beard flowed down to his chest, and his robes were a patchwork of faded colors, stained from years of working with potent concoctions.
“This is Master Hu,” Elder Kai Li introduced. “He is one of our finest alchemists. If anyone can help you, it will be him.”
Master Hu looked up, his eyes gleaming with ancient wisdom. “Kai Xian, I’ve heard of your struggles. You have the blood of the Kai Clan in you, but your Qi remains dormant. You need a way to awaken it—to unlock your true potential.”
Kai Xian bowed respectfully. “Master Hu, I don’t know where to begin. I’ve tried everything I can think of, but my Qi is sluggish, unrefined. How can I restore it?”
Master Hu stroked his beard thoughtfully. “The answer lies not in brute force, but in understanding the root of your Qi. There is an ancient technique, long forgotten by most, that involves channeling the Qi through your very spirit, connecting with the beast cores deep within you.”
Kai Xian’s eyes widened. Beast cores? He had heard whispers of them—the powerful energy sources contained within beasts that could enhance one’s Qi, making them stronger. But how could they be connected to him?
Master Hu continued, “You must first seek out the spiritual beast within you. Once you have done so, you can channel its energy through the core, using it to enhance your own Qi. But it is not an easy task. The connection must be made with great care, and it requires intense focus.”
Kai Xian nodded, his determination reigniting. The road ahead was perilous, but he knew that this was his path to unlocking his true potential.
---
Later that evening, as Kai Xian made his way back to his chambers, his thoughts were consumed with the idea of the beast cores. There was something powerful, something primal, about the thought of tapping into that energy. He had always known that his connection to nature was strong—but this, this was different.
And just as he was about to enter his room, he heard a voice behind him.
“Are you ready, Kai Xian?”
It was Li Mei. Her expression was filled with quiet determination, but there was also a hint of concern in her eyes.
“I’ll find a way,” Kai Xian replied, his voice steady. “I have to.”
Li Mei stepped forward, her hand gently brushing his arm. “I believe in you.”
And in that moment, as they stood together in the quiet hallway, Kai Xian realized that his journey wasn’t just about power or cultivation. It was about finding strength in the bonds he forged, in the trust of those who stood by his side.
---
Kai Xian’s Cultivation Level at the End of Chapter 7:
Physical Conditioning: Stage 5 - Body Reinforcement (His body is becoming stronger and more resilient, though still far from its peak.)
Qi Mastery: Stage 3 - Qi Awakening (Kai Xian’s Qi is beginning to respond more consistently, though still lacking in depth and refinement.)
Technique Mastery: Stage 3 - Intermediate Techniques (Kai Xian has reawakened several of the Kai Clan’s techniques, though they are not yet fully perfected.)
Beast Taming: Stage 2 - Beast Awakening (Kai Xian has begun to sense a deeper connection to the beasts around him, though he has not yet tamed one or fully understood the extent of his potential.)
Power Ranking: Moderate (Kai Xian is improving, but he still faces challenges from stronger opponents, especially those from other clans and sects.)