The clang of swords echoed through the air as Tao and Jian approached the Combat Hall. The building loomed ahead; its grand stone facade adorned with intricate carvings of warriors locked in eternal battle. Disciples of all ranks sparred in the open courtyards, their Qi infused strikes illuminating the dusk with bursts of energy.

“This is your idea of preparation?” Tao muttered, glancing at Jian.

Jian smirked. “What better way to refine your techniques than under pressure? Besides, it’s not like you’re heading into the Black Hollow Forest to have a picnic.”

Tao sighed, following Jian into the bustling courtyard. His gaze darted between sparring pairs, noting the precision and intensity of their movements. Most of these disciples were far beyond him in cultivation, their techniques polished and commanding. The weight of his punishment pressed against him again, a reminder of how far he had to climb.

“Jian! Tao!”

The booming voice turned their heads. Elder Jianyu stood at the edge of the courtyard, his imposing figure cutting through the noise. The head of the Combat Hall was a mountain of a man, his broad shoulders and weathered face exuding an aura of battle hardened experience. His sharp eyes locked onto them, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“You’re not here to sightsee, are you?” Jianyu asked, striding toward them.

Jian straightened, offering a respectful bow. “We’re preparing for Tao’s mission, Elder Jianyu.”

“Preparing for the Black Hollow Forest, are you?” Jianyu asked, his sharp gaze studying Tao.

“You’ll need more than determination to survive that place. What are you working on?”

Tao hesitated before answering. “Two techniques, Elder. One for movement, one for defence.”

Jianyu’s eyebrows lifted slightly; his curiosity piqued. “Two techniques, you say? Show me.”

He led them to a private training area, away from the noise of the courtyard. The space was bare except for a smooth stone floor and a rack of training weapons along one wall. Jianyu gestured for Tao to step forward.

“Show me,” Jianyu said simply.

Tao nodded, unrolling the scroll for Flowing Leaf Steps and placing it aside. He closed his eyes, cantering himself as he began to circulate his Qi. The technique required fluidity and balance, but under Jianyu’s piercing gaze, his movements felt clumsy.

His first attempt faltered, his Qi flow breaking with each misstep. Jianyu’s voice cut through the silence. “You’re forcing it. Flowing Leaf Steps isn’t about power, it’s about balance. Stop trying to control it. Let your Qi guide you.”

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Taking a deep breath, Tao adjusted his stance and cleared his mind. This time, his movements flowed more naturally. Each step felt lighter, leaving faint afterimages as he moved across the floor.

Jianyu nodded, though his tone remained critical. “Better. But you’re leaving openings in your rhythm. Refine it, or you’ll be vulnerable.”

Next, Tao activated the Stone Skin Technique. His Qi surged, condensing along his arms and chest. A faint grey sheen hardened his skin, making it as tough as polished stone. He struck his forearm against a training post, splintering the wood on impact.

Jianyu inspected him closely. “Impressive for your level. But this technique drains Qi like a leaking barrel. Use it recklessly, and you’ll collapse before the real fight begins.”

Releasing the technique, Tao bowed his head, his breathing laboured. The elder’s critiques stung, but they were honest, and they drove him to push harder.

Jianyu stepped back, crossing his arms. “Techniques alone won’t carry you through the forest. The Black Hollow Forest is alive, Spirit beasts aren’t the only threat. There are old formations, shifting terrain, and worse. The place will test your instincts as much as your strength. If you can’t adapt, you won’t survive.”

Jian hesitated before speaking. “Elder Jianyu, do you think the Ironwood Tower Sect has anything to do with the forest’s dangers?”

Jianyu’s eyes narrowed slightly. “The Ironwood Tower Sect has been watching that region for years. Whether they’ve set traps or simply linger in the shadows, you’d do well to keep your guard up. The forest is contested, even if it doesn’t seem so at first glance.”

Tao’s stomach tightened at the implication. The mission was already daunting enough without the possibility of running into rival cultivators.

Jianyu clapped him on the shoulder, his grip firm. “Don’t overthink it. You’ve been given a chance to prove yourself. Make the most of it.”

With that, the elder turned and walked away, leaving Tao and Jian alone in the training area.

“Well,” Jian said after a moment, his usual smirk returning. “That wasn’t terrifying at all.”

Tao let out a dry laugh, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “At least he didn’t say we were hopeless.”

“Not in so many words,” Jian quipped.

As they exited the Combat Hall, the weight of Jianyu’s words lingered. Tao felt a mix of exhaustion and determination. The Black Hollow Forest loomed ahead, but for the first time, it felt like a challenge he could face.

Later that evening, Tao sat cross legged in his quarters, his breathing steady as he circulated his Qi. Jianyu’s words echoed in his mind: “Let your Qi guide you.”

He focused inward, visualizing the techniques he had practiced. His Qi pulsed within him, steady but restrained, as though held back by an invisible barrier. Tao gritted his teeth and continued to channel his Qi using the method specified in the Unyielding Mountain Spirit guide. He continued to push hard, his mind racing through the frustrations of the past weeks, Wei’s betrayal, and the punishment he had endured.

The Jade Mountain within his dantian pulsed faintly, resonating with his determination.

Suddenly, the barrier gave way. A surge of energy coursed through him, flooding his meridians with power. Tao’s body trembled as his Qi expanded, his senses sharpening. The oppressive weight of the first stage lifted, replaced by the steady strength of the second stage of Qi Condensation.

Tao opened his eyes, his breathing ragged but steady. He clenched his fists, feeling the newfound stability in his Qi. A faint smile tugged at his lips.

The Black Hollow Forest was still a daunting challenge, but now, he was ready to face it.