Alex woke up with a heavy sigh, his body still aching from the previous day’s exertions. The early morning light filtered through the small window, casting a soft glow across his quarters, but it did little to lift his spirits. His failure to combine the Pure Yang and Heavenly Demon energies weighed heavily on his mind.
Why can’t I get this right? he thought, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. The cultivation manuals lay beside him, seemingly mocking his inability to master their teachings. He had always prided himself on his ability to overcome challenges, but this one felt insurmountable.
As he went through his morning routine, Alex couldn’t shake the feeling of agitation. The once-refreshing morning air now felt stifling, and the familiar training grounds seemed oppressive. He clenched his fists, trying to quell the rising tide of irritation that threatened to overwhelm him.
Unbeknownst to him, the demonic Qi had already begun to influence his emotions, amplifying his frustration and clouding his thoughts. He walked to the training area, his movements stiff and mechanical. His friends noticed the change in his demeanor immediately.
“Hey, Alex!” Jihoon called out, waving him over. “You look like you’ve seen better days. What’s going on?”
Alex forced a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Just had a rough night,” he replied tersely, trying to brush off their concern.
Mei Lin, always perceptive, stepped closer and looked at him with a mix of curiosity and worry. “Something’s bothering you. You’ve been out of sorts since yesterday. What’s really going on?”
Alex hesitated, the weight of his struggles pressing down on him. Finally, he sighed and decided to open up. “It’s the cultivation. I’ve been trying to combine the Pure Yang and Heavenly Demon arts, but it’s not working. The energies just won’t mix, and it’s driving me crazy.”
His friends exchanged glances, their concern deepening. Liu Yan, a member of the Heavenly Demon Cult, stepped forward. “You’re working with the Heavenly Demon Art?” she asked, her voice tinged with surprise.
Alex nodded. “Yeah, an elder gave it to me, said it could complement my Will affinity.”
Liu Yan’s eyes widened. “The Heavenly Demon Art is not something to be taken lightly. Only those with an unshakable will or the chosen successor of the Heavenly Demon himself are encouraged to practice it. It’s dangerous, unpredictable.”
Jihoon placed a reassuring hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Look, we’ve got your back. Maybe you need to approach this differently. How about we help you understand these energies better before you try to combine them again?”
Alex’s frustration began to melt away, replaced by a flicker of hope. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to get a fresh perspective,” he admitted.
The group gathered around him, offering their insights and support. Liu Yan explained more about the nature of demonic Qi. “It’s not inherently evil or dark; it’s just wild and untamable. It responds to strong willpower, but it can also amplify negative emotions if you’re not careful. You need to master your own emotions before you can hope to control it.”
Mei Lin nodded in agreement. “The Pure Yang Art, on the other hand, is steady and luminous. It requires a calm and focused mind. You’re trying to mix fire and storm without understanding their core natures first.”
Alex listened intently, absorbing their advice. He realized he had been too focused on the end goal without fully grasping the fundamentals. He needed to understand these energies on a deeper level before attempting to merge them.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“Maybe you should spend some time with each energy separately,” Jihoon suggested. “Get a feel for them individually. Once you truly understand their nature, combining them might come more naturally.”
Alex nodded, feeling a sense of clarity for the first time in days. “You’re right. I’ve been too impatient. I need to take a step back and really get to know these energies.”
The words of his friends lingered in Alex's mind as he returned to his training area. He sat down, closed his eyes, and began to focus on his Pure Yang Qi. He remembered his initial experiences with it: the warmth, the strength, the luminous power that coursed through his veins. It was a fiery, intense energy that demanded respect and control. He let himself become immersed in its essence, feeling the heat spread through his body, revitalizing and empowering him.
Next, he shifted his focus to the Heavenly Demon Qi. This was a different beast altogether. It was reckless, powerful, and untamed. He could feel it pulsating within him, challenging his control, testing his will. The demonic Qi was quick and unyielding, like a wild storm that threatened to consume him if he faltered. He remembered the pain and struggle of his initial attempts to control it, the way it resisted his commands until he invoked his willpower affinity to subdue it.
As he alternated between the two energies, he began to notice the subtle differences and similarities. Pure Yang Qi was like a steady, blazing sun, providing consistent power and strength. Heavenly Demon Qi was a tempest, full of raw, untamed energy that required a firm hand to guide. The more he focused on each individually, the more he began to appreciate their unique properties.
Hours turned into days as Alex dedicated himself to this new approach. He cultivated Pure Yang Qi, allowing its warmth to spread through his meridians, fortifying his body and mind. He then shifted to Heavenly Demon Qi, using his willpower to tame the wild energy, slowly building a rapport with it. The process was grueling, filled with moments of pain and frustration, but also with breakthroughs that fueled his determination.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the camp, Alex sat in his usual spot, feeling the energies within him. He decided it was time to try combining them again. With a deep breath, he began to draw upon the Pure Yang Qi, feeling its steady power fill him. He then carefully introduced the Heavenly Demon Qi, focusing on maintaining control.
The initial clash of energies was intense, a violent surge that sent shockwaves through his body. Alex gritted his teeth, using his willpower to keep the demonic Qi in check while allowing the Pure Yang Qi to stabilize. The process was excruciating, his meridians throbbing with pain as the two forces battled for dominance.
But this time, he was prepared. He understood the nature of each energy better and was able to guide them with more precision. Slowly, the clash began to subside, the energies starting to find a tenuous balance within him. He could feel the Pure Yang Qi tempering the wildness of the Heavenly Demon Qi, while the demonic energy added a sharp edge to the Yang Qi’s strength.
The process was far from perfect, and there were moments when the balance tipped, causing searing pain to shoot through his body. But Alex persisted, using his willpower to maintain control, adjusting the flow of Qi until he found a more stable equilibrium.
As the night deepened, Alex finally opened his eyes, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. He had not fully mastered the combination of Pure Yang and Heavenly Demon Qi, but he had taken a significant step forward. The breakthrough had brought him a deeper understanding of his own abilities and the potential that lay within him.
He felt a sense of gratitude towards his friends. Their advice had been invaluable, giving him the insight he needed to make progress. The realization that he was not alone in this journey, that he had people who cared about his success, filled him with a renewed sense of determination.
With a weary but satisfied smile, Alex lay back on the grass, staring up at the star-filled sky. He still had a long way to go, but for the first time in days, he felt a sense of hope. He would continue to train, to push his limits, and to learn from every experience. The path of growth was a challenging one, but it was a path he was determined to walk with unwavering resolve.
As he closed his eyes, letting the exhaustion of the day wash over him, a system notification appeared in his mind, adding to his sense of accomplishment:
Congratulations! You have leveled the Tier 4 skill: Pure Yang Art (Level 2→5).
Congratulations! You have leveled the Tier 4 skill: Heavenly Demon Art (Level 2→5).
Alex smiled as the notifications faded, closing his eyes as a blissful sleep overtook him.