Back before the Emei sect arrived at Kunlun, the Lower Level bore witness to a sight both mystical and serene.
Near the arched wooden bridge that led to the Kunlun cliff and the abandoned courtyard, a figure sat unmoving, a living embodiment of stillness amidst the gentle flow of the creek.
The man's white martial robe, once pristine, now clung to his form, gradually surrendering to the persistent caress of the water's current.
Yet, despite the drenched fabric weighing him down, the long tendrils of his snowy white hair danced freely upon the creek's surface, carried by the rhythmic push and pull of the water's flow.
With eyes half-lidded in deep meditation, the man's chest rose and fell in a steady cadence, betraying none of the turmoil that raged unseen within his meridians.
The body thrashed in chaos, greedily absorbing Qi yet unable to find balance—until a familiar scene began to unfold once more.
SWOOSH!
In an explosive burst, the pent-up Qi erupted forth, enveloping the young man's body in a shimmering bluish aura that pulsed.
A vortex of energy swirled violently around him, stirring the once-placid creek into a frenzy of ripples and scattering the smooth pebbles that lined its bed.
Yet, as swiftly as it manifested, the burst of Qi was reabsorbed into the young man's body, leaving only the faintest traces of its existence behind.
At that moment, the handsome young man's eyes snapped open, revealing crimson pupils that gazed upon the dissipating Qi.
A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips as the thought echoed through his mind, 'It worked. Amazing.'
For this was none other than Ji Wuye. And now, he found himself on the precipice of awakening yet another elemental power.
Floating before his vision, instead of the familiar verdant sphere that embodied the leaf element, a new manifestation took shape: a blue sphere, rippling with the essence of water itself.
Within this miniature world, waves surged with varying degrees of strength, some crashing forth with unbridled force, while others merely rippled the surface with gentle undulations.
And still others remained as mere puddles of stillness, awaiting the catalyst that would set them in motion once more.
'Well, this is just the first step,' Ji Wuye mused, savoring the sight of the mythical phenomenon that only he could perceive—a fleeting glimpse into the very heart of the natural Qi's shape and form.
As for why he chose this creek instead of the majestic waterfall cascading below, the answer was simple in Ji Wuye's mind.
Thanks to an earlier warning and whispers of secret passages from him, that area had become an ambush site, heavily guarded by disciples lying in wait, eager to ensnare any Unorthodox martial artists.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
'It's not like I'm missing out,' Ji Wuye muttered inwardly, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he shook his head, dismissing the thought before allowing his eyes to slide shut once more.
The next step was Essence Drawing.
He then visualized an imaginary translucent funnel of energy, its base anchored firmly in his Dantian core, or at the Lower Dantian.
The funnel's wide mouth extended outward, encompassing the surrounding space and all the latent energy it contained.
As the funnel began to absorb the ethereal Water Qi that permeated the air, the energy transformed, taking on the fluid properties of flowing water as it entered Ji Wuye's body.
He could feel the cool, tickling sensation of the creek's gentle current beneath his skin, seeping into every pore as if his very being had become a vessel for the water's essence.
It was a strange sensation, not entirely unfamiliar, yet still distinct from the time he had absorbed the Wood Qi.
Just as the wooden element had dispersed through his organs, leaving a refreshing vitality in its wake, so too did this Water Qi spread through his body, though accompanied by a sense of being submerged, weightless, and cradled by the flow.
However, thanks to his previous experiences, Ji Wuye remained in control, his focus unwavering despite the odd sensations that threatened to overwhelm him.
And then... just like that....the fourth and fifth steps were completed simultaneously.
However, something about the process unsettled him. There was no resistance; he absorbed the Water Qi with an ease that felt almost effortless—too easy, in fact.
Logically, if someone was deeply attuned to their element, such a strong resonance with another element should have been impossible, as the opposing element would typically be forcefully rejected.
But now, his condition... it just doesn’t feel right.
Even now, Ji Wuye felt inwardly confused, his brows furrowing as he muttered to himself, 'Could it really be this easy? No way... there must be some side effect.'
His consciousness wandered through his inner body, watching with narrowed eyes as the Water Qi flowed freely, almost playfully, under his careful observation.
None of the Qi attempted to break through his skin or wreak havoc on his organs, a fact that only deepened his unease.
'Should I just accept it, then?'
Convinced it wouldn't be that simple, he once again searched through his inner body, drawing the Qi from his Upper Dantian and guiding the flow of Wood Qi through his Twelve Meridians.
However, the result was unexpected. Instead of conflicting, the two elements... merged together?
...
Unknowingly, time passed in a blur of intense focus. By now, with furrowed brows, eyes narrowed to crimson slits, and a rigid jaw that betrayed his mounting tension, Ji Wuye's entire being was centered on the jian gripped tightly in his hand, intently observing the manifestation of the Water Qi as it danced along the blade's edge.
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/k36CPjH/Notif-1.webp]
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/k36CPjH/Notif-1.webp]
The transparent screen flashed before Ji Wuye's eyes yet he ignored it. Instead, his lips, previously sealed in a tight line of concentration, parted to release a slow murmur brimming with disbelief and bewilderment.
"A Water Elemental Sword Aura..."
Yes, he had done it—he had awakened yet another elemental power within himself, this time harnessing the very essence of water itself.
Just as the Wood Qi had settled into his Upper Dantian, transforming into a sapling that resonated with the ringing energy of life, so too did this newfound Water Qi manifest in a manner both wondrous and wholly unique.
Golden streams of liquid light swirled within the faint bluish sea of Qi that ebbed and flowed in the sea of his Upper Dantian, highly compatible with the verdant sapling that had already taken root there.
Strangely, the luminous water circled around the tender shoot, caressing and nurturing it with each mesmerizing revolution. They seemed fond of each other, almost perfectly compatible.
Currently, the jian gripped tightly in Ji Wuye's hand pulsed with a brilliant dark blue light that danced along its razor-sharp edge.
Unlike the flickering light akin to emerald flames from the Wood Qi, the Water Qi's luminescence was calmer, more controlled—a shimmering aura that enveloped the blade, akin to how one might normally cloak their weapon with their own Qi, yet distinctly different.
A noticeable change rippled through the surrounding environment, drawing Ji Wuye's crimson gaze downward to the flowing creek that had served as his meditation spot.
Though he remained seated directly in the water's path, the current no longer drenched his robes. Instead, the liquid parted around him as if guided by an invisible force, flowing to either side in a seamless arc that left him untouched, dry, and serene in its wake.
The dampness that had once clung to his pristine white martial garb had vanished completely, the fabric as crisp and immaculate as the moment he had first donned it.
It was as if the Water Sword Aura he now commanded absorbed and controlled every nearby droplet, bending the element itself to his will.
Besides this, he could also feel the capacity for strong Qi in all of his Dantians increasing... Even his body felt rejuvenated once again.
"So, it worked, right?" Ji Wuye mused, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips despite the lingering confusion and disbelief that swirled within him like eddies in a turbulent stream.
Like a spark igniting a new idea, his mind seemed to drift into the distance, his crimson pupils alight with the possibilities that lay before him.
What might happen, he wondered, if he attempted to awaken the Earth element next? Or perhaps even Fire element?
"That would be ideal," Ji Wuye concluded inwardly.
With a slight furrow of his brow, he withdrew the swirling Qi from the jian clutched in his hand, causing the brilliant blue aura surrounding the blade to slowly dissipate.
Right now, he had discovered a way to further master and increase his martial power—so why wouldn’t he be eager to proceed?