Long Ju was excited to learn more about Aura - her grandfather had always told her that it was the next step in her training. She had seen many skilled warriors use it to great effect in battle. She wondered how it felt to wield it, how it felt to have that power at her fingertips.
The training began with basic movements and stances, Grandpa was a master at Aura and its teachings. He taught her the basics first, showing her the stances and movements needed to control her Aura. He also taught her the basics of how to channel Aura through her body, and how to focus her mind.
"Remember, Aura comes from your soul. You must learn to keep your soul steady and focused if you want to master Aura," he said.
Long Ju was eager to learn more. She wanted to master not just Aura but the entire art of combat as well. She worked hard, determined to learn. During the war, she was trained to sense Aura and absorb it in her body, but that was the end of it. The choice was understandable, emergency or not, nobody was going to send a little girl into battle, so it wasn't considered a priority. Afterwards, the clan was focused on rebuilding, and currying favour with the Emperor, seeking alliances. They thought that there was no need to further her Aura training. At least that was the explanation her father used. Now, her grandfather thought she was finally worthy of it.
Long Ju focused, trying to feel the Aura around her. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to channel it. It was a strange sensation - she felt a warmth spread throughout her body, as if it were flowing through her bloodstream. It had been a while since her last time.
Grandpa smiled, "Good, good. You are making progress, but you must learn to control your emotions. Your Aura comes from your heart, but it is also fuelled by your emotions. If you let your emotions control you, your Aura will be unstable."
He showed her how to focus her mind, helping her learn how to control her emotions and channel her Aura more effectively. Long Ju could feel the power growing within her. She could feel it coursing through her veins, fuelling her with energy and strength. She felt alive, like she could do anything.
"Yes, that's it! You're getting it!" Grandpa said excitedly, "Now you must learn how to channel that power into a skill, a technique. This is the next step in your training."
Long Ju looked up expectantly. The old man smiled, amused.
"It takes months, even years, to achieve something like that," he said.
Long Ju was disappointed, but not surprised. She was aware that mastering techniques like this required a tremendous amount of time, effort, and dedication. She was willing to put in the work, though. She wanted to become the best warrior she could be. No matter how long it took, she was determined to master this skill.
"I'm willing to put in the time and effort. I won't give up until I've mastered this," she said, stubbornness in her eyes.
Her grandfather smiled knowingly. "Good. That's the mindset you need. Now, let's start with the basics. We'll start with our Long clan's novice technique. With patience and dedication, you'll be able to master it in no time."
Long Ju nodded, feeling ready. Absorbing Aura was more or less a natural process, so the only thing she learned until now was how to anchor it to her core and expand her Aura capacity to absorb more. They were straightforward methods, even without instruction, living beings developed them instinctually. Of course, thousands of years of civilization perfected these methods to astounding levels of efficiency. What her grandfather was teaching her was the Long Clan's secret breathing technique. It helped circulate Aura in the body, forcing it to leave the Core and flow through the meridians, allowing the user to use it to enhance their physical abilities. Individuals and organisations jealously guarded their secret breathing techniques, since they were the foundation of every Aura user, from novices to great masters.
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"Before we move on to the "Windwalk Technique", you must get used to using your Aura. Right now, your body is like a rusty chain. You have to carefully clean and oil every link, to obtain a smooth movement and a sturdy resistance."
The "Windwalk Technique" is an Aura technique that allows the user to identify and control Aura in the air. This technique is very useful in both combat and stealth situations, as it allows the user to quickly close the distance between themselves and their opponents or to move around unnoticed.
In order to use this technique, the user must first focus on their Aura and channel it into an area around of their body. They must then position themselves in the path of the airflow and guide it in the desired direction. The user must also be mindful of their balance and keep their Aura under control to prevent themselves from being blown off course.
This technique is considered a basic Aura technique among the Long clan and is often taught to novices as a starting point in their Aura training. Once mastered, it can be used in conjunction with other techniques or as a method of transportation during travel, and some advanced practitioners use it to fly. It is also useful for quickly escaping from a dangerous situation. The Windwalk Technique requires a certain level of skill and accuracy to be used effectively. The user must be able to channel their Aura accurately and maintain control over it, and over their whole body. That's why before learning it, being able to freely control the Aura within is vital. Her grandpa was almost jumping up and down with glee. He was getting into a lecturing mood. He enjoyed it when he had a chance to speak for hours about the topics he was an expert in. For such a secluded man, he sure was talkative.
"Aura is the energy that flows through the world. Some say that it is the life force of all living things, while others believe it to be a manifestation of the soul. No matter what it is, it is an incredibly powerful force, and those who can wield it are able to perform incredible feats of strength and speed."
"It is not just a physical, but also an emotional and spiritual discipline as well. The ability to control and manipulate Aura is not simply about having more Aura than others, but about knowing how to use it effectively in the moment. Aura is a reflection of your emotions, and if you are not in control of them, they can affect you in a negative way. For example, if you are angry, your Aura will be more turbulent, making it more difficult to control and potentially causing damage. Conversely, if you are calm and collected, your Aura will be more stable and easier to control, allowing you to do more with it."
"It takes time and practice, but once you master Aura, you will be able to do things that most others cannot."
Long Ju felt her head get heavier with each word. Grandpa Tai had a talent for explaining any topic in the most complicated way possible. He called it his professional habit as a 'researcher'. She tried her best to remember everything, but honestly, she preferred to learn from practice. Long Tai smiled kindly at his granddaughter's serious face.
"Alright, enough theory. Let's proceed with the exercises you need to master. First of all, you must circulate all the Aura in your body and concentrate it in a single point. Initially, the area will be very big. Novices usually start by switching the Aura from their left half to their right half, or from the top to the bottom. At the peak of mastery, you should be capable of focusing your whole power on even the thinnest of your hair. For the Windwalk Technique, it'll be enough to focus on each limb singularly and simultaneously, as well as a uniform cover of your whole body."
Grandpa grinned and stopped explaining. Long Ju knew what this meant. There were methods which made the goal easier, but he wanted her to create the exercises and achieve the results on her own. It has always been like that between them. Long Tai would explain the theory and give her some hints, and after her efforts, he would check her progress, guide her, and make her taste the training grounds pavement in endless spars.
The girl smiled wildly and stormed out of the room, ready to try some ideas. She wouldn't want it any other way.
Long Tai scratched his chin: "I should have probably warned her about the possibility of exploding if she messes up with the Aura flow... Oh, well, she won't blow up." He sipped his cold tea.
"Probably."