The first rays of dawn crept through the small window of Kai's dormitory room, gently rousing him from his slumber. As consciousness slowly returned, Kai felt a strange emptiness in his mind, as if something significant had been erased. He tried to grasp at the fading wisps of his dreams, but they slipped away like smoke through his fingers. Shaking off the disorienting feeling, Kai sat up in his bed, his mind quickly sharpening as he remembered the importance of the day.
In just three days, he would participate in the long-awaited competition. The thought sent a surge of excitement and nervousness through his body. Kai knew he had to make the most of the limited time he had left to prepare. Without wasting another moment, he got up, washed his face with cold water from the basin, and changed into his training attire.
The cool morning air nipped at Kai's skin as he stepped outside, but he welcomed the sensation. It helped to clear his mind and focus his thoughts. Finding a quiet spot in the academy's training grounds, Kai began his rigorous martial arts routine. He moved through the familiar forms with practiced ease, each movement precise and purposeful. As he trained, Kai could feel the qi flowing through his body, responding to his will and strengthening his muscles.
After completing his usual set of exercises, Kai's eyes fell upon a sturdy branch lying on the ground. An idea struck him, and he picked it up, testing its weight and balance. It wasn't perfect, but it would serve his purpose. Holding the branch like a sword, Kai began to practice it as a sword.
At first, his movements were clumsy and uncoordinated. The branch felt awkward in his hands, nothing like the elegant swords he had seen senior disciples wielding. But Kai was not one to give up easily. He persevered, repeating the same moves over and over until they began to feel more natural.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Kai's movements became more fluid and confident. He started to experiment, infusing small amounts of qi into the branch. To his surprise and delight, the wooden makeshift sword seemed to respond, becoming lighter and more responsive in his hands. Kai grinned, realizing he had stumbled upon a valuable training method.
For the next two days, Kai divided his time between his regular martial arts practice and his newfound sword training. He pushed himself to the limit, knowing that every moment of preparation could make a difference in the upcoming competition. The branch became an extension of his arm, and Kai found himself looking forward to the day when he could wield a real sword with the same proficiency.
On the last day of the first week, as Kai was finishing up his training session, he spotted a familiar figure approaching. It was Blackthorn Village Leader Chen.
"Impressive," Chen remarked as he drew closer. "You've made significant progress, Kai. How's your cultivation coming along?"
Kai lowered the branch, wiping sweat from his brow. "I've reached Mortal Qi Realm III," he replied, a hint of pride in his voice.
Chen nodded, looking pleased and surprised. "That's excellent progress for someone your age. You're advancing faster than most of your peers."
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As they continued to talk, Kai couldn't help but notice something different about Chen. He seemed more vibrant, his complexion healthier than Kai remembered. With a jolt, Kai realized that Chen had fully recovered from the effects of the Essence Sucker Technique that Kai had used on him long ago.
The realization sent Kai's mind racing. He had almost forgotten about that incident, but now the memories came flooding back. Chen is a cultivator too, and not just any cultivator – he was at Foundation Establishment Rank I. How had he not noticed Kai draining his life force? And more importantly, why had Chen given Kai the book containing such a forbidden technique in the first place?
These questions swirled in Kai's mind, creating a web of mystery that he couldn't unravel. He found himself studying Chen more closely, searching for any signs that might reveal the older disciple's true motives. But Chen's face remained open and friendly, betraying nothing of his inner thoughts.
Kai was so lost in his contemplations that he almost missed it when Chen produced a sword from within his robes. The weapon gleamed in the sunlight, its polished surface reflecting the world around it.
"Here," Chen said, offering the sword to Kai. "This is a normal sword, nothing special about it. But I thought you might want to use it in tomorrow's event. It's better than that branch you've been practicing with."
Kai's eyes widened as he accepted the sword, feeling its perfect balance and the smooth grip of its hilt. "Thank you, Leader Chen,".
Chen smiled, patting Kai on the shoulder. "You've earned it. Just remember, a sword is only as good as the cultivator who wields it. Your strength comes from within, not from your weapon."
With those parting words, Chen left Kai to continue his practice. Kai spent the rest of the day familiarizing himself with the new sword, marveling at how much easier it was to channel his qi through the metal blade compared to the wooden branch.
As night fell, Kai returned to his room, his mind and body exhausted from the day's training. He fell into a deep, dreamless sleep, his new sword propped carefully against the wall beside his bed.
The next morning, Kai awoke to a transformed Blackthorn Village. Overnight, the entire village had been decorated for the festival that would accompany the competition. Colorful banners hung from buildings, and the air was filled with the excited chatter of villagers and visiting cultivators alike.
Kai made his way through the bustling streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the festival. Food stalls lined the roads, their enticing aromas making Kai's stomach growl. Performers demonstrated amazing feats of acrobatics and sleight of hand, drawing gasps and applause from the gathered crowds.
As he neared the academy grounds, where the competition would be held, Kai spotted two familiar figures making their way towards the dormitories. It was Yung and Meon, their eyes wide with wonder as they took in the festival atmosphere.
He watched as Yung pointed excitedly at a cultivator demonstrating a flashy qi technique, while Meon's attention was caught by a vendor selling "magical" trinkets that Kai knew were nothing more than clever toys. Their enthusiasm was infectious, but Kai found himself feeling a strange mix of amusement and something almost like pity.
They had no idea of the true depths of the cultivation world, of the hidden dangers and forbidden techniques that lurked beneath the surface. They couldn't comprehend the mysteries that Kai had only begun to scratch the surface of, like the enigma of Chen and the book of forbidden techniques.
As his two friends chattered on about the festival and their hopes for the competition, Kai found himself lost in thought. He couldn't help but laugh inwardly at their naivety, even as he envied their uncomplicated excitement. They were still living in a world where cultivation was all about advancement and glory, untouched by the darker realities Kai had glimpsed.