Leon had spent all night trying to properly meditate, but found all his efforts totally fruitless. Darn it, I’ve been at this for five hours and still nothing he thought to himself as one of his eyes opened. Maybe I’m just doing it wrong… I could take Seth up on his offer he contemplated.

No. Never. I won’t stoop so low as to ask that little goody-goody for help. I don’t need him. I don’t need anyone. Besides, once I figure this out, I’ll be way stronger than Seth could ever be. He just stood aside while Elijah was attacked by those four other guys. I was the one who tried to help him and got kicked into the side of a building!

“Leon? May I come in?” came Elijah’s voice as he stood there in the doorway of Leon’s room.

“Oh, yeah, sure. I was just, erm- meditating?” Leon replied with doubt in his voice.

“I see…” Elijah raised an eyebrow. “How is that coming along? Has Seth finally gotten a chance to teach you some of what he knows?”

“Not really,” Leon started to scoff but then cleared his throat, “well, he did tell me about the ‘Cultivating the Spirit’ book. I read through that a little bit last night, but it’s not really working.”

“Ah, ‘Cultivating the Spirit’ is a great book to start with. What is it that you are struggling with?”

“This meditation crap just doesn’t seem to work. I felt a little something while I was reading the book- like I just drank an energy drink or something, but when I started trying the meditation stuff, nothing happens.”

“You have to learn to sense your Spirit Essence first before you can really harness it through meditation,” Elijah corrected him.

“But I don’t know how to do that. I mean, I try to clear my mind, but it’s so hard to just think of nothing,” Leon frowned.

“That is precisely where you are wrong,” a smirk played across Elijah’s face. “Do not try to clear your mind, as that is impossible. Rather, try quieting your mind by focusing on your breathing.”

“Focus on my breathing?” Leon blinked. This is so stupid he thought to himself.

“Here, allow me to coach you through it. Get back into your meditation position and I will tell you what to do.”

“Fine,” Leon sighed and crossed his legs and placed his palms on his knees once more as he closed his eyes.

“Good. Now then, I want you to only focus on your breathing and nothing else. Let go of all other thoughts and concerns and simply focus on each breath. Breathe deep, hold it for ten seconds, then exhale and hold for another ten seconds. That’s right! In through your nose- out through your mouth,” Elijah instructed, watching his pupil with satisfaction and Leon began the rhythmic breathing.

As Leon continued the breathing technique, the same tingling feeling throughout his body that he felt when he had read from “Cultivating the Spirit” started again. He felt small waves of Spirit Essence pulsating out faintly from the center of his chest. At first it just seemed like adrenaline, but as he continued to focus, it seemed like small strands of energy were moving throughout his entire body.

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“Excellent, Leon! You’re doing it!” Elijah exclaimed proudly as he began to sense weak level of Spirit Essence radiating from his pupil. “Just keep on with that breathing technique for a while. Once you master that, the other cultivating techniques will be much easier to get into.”

An entire month flew by quickly for Leon as every day, as soon as he finished his daily chores, would sit at the edge of his bed and practice the breathing technique. Feeling his Spirit Essence moving around with in him was almost addictive. He had never felt anything like this before and gave him a sort of “high” each time. At this point, meditation was almost second nature to him.

One afternoon, after another silent lunch, Seth decided to address Leon. “So, how’s your training going?” he smiled at Leon who had just finished his food.

“Good, no thanks to you,” Leon rolled his eyes and stood up from his seat.

“What’s your problem, man?” Seth narrowed his eyes.

“It would have been helpful if you mentioned something about the breathing technique and sensing Spirit Essence before telling me to go and read a stupid book,” Leon snapped.

“Did you forget that I offered to teach you if you would only ask. Gosh, you’re so moody!”

“Ha!” Leon snarled, “I’ve practically mastered meditation at this point. What help could you possibly be to me?”

“Oh, I didn’t realize I was speaking to a cultivation expert,” Seth smirked haughtily. “Well, you’ll find it difficult to progress any further without something to practice martial arts with.”

“Martials Arts? What’s that got to do with anything?” Leon cocked his head.

“Read the rest of the manual and find out for yourself, genius,” Seth shook his head and stood up from the table as well.

“Hmph! I don’t need stupid martial arts in order to kick your ass.”

“We’ll see,” Seth looked at Leon challengingly.

“Pfft!” Leon sneered as turned his back to Seth and started towards the Sanctuary library.

As he made his way into the library, he approached the table in the middle of the room where “Cultivating the Spirit” sat, still open to the first section. Let’s see Leon thought to himself as he glanced at the index and then thumbed his way over to the “Spirit Martial Arts” section. The first page read:

Protector’s Fist: The Way of the Exalted Guardian

The Protector’s Fist is the oldest form of combat that the Exalted Guardian Society has used and was developed by the original founder and leader of the sect, Sage Sovereign Barnath. At a time Cultivator’s of unorthodox sects were developing their own combative techniques and becoming increasingly more powerful, Sage Sovereign Barnath began teaching himself others how to use Spirit Essence through martial arts forms and techniques. Protector’s Fist was developed as a way for Cultivator’s of the Exalted Guardian Society to be able to defend themselves as well as others. This form of combat is not meant to be used to attack but rather to preserve.

First Form: Seraphim’s Wings…

As Leon read each line, he felt his Spirit Essence flowing through his body, particularly in his head. He carefully studied the description and illustrations given for the First Form of Protector’s Fist, wishing that he could take the book with him to his room to practice. He then looked around to see if there was a pen and paper anywhere that he could use to jot down some notes to take with him. What kinda library doesn’t have any stationary supplies? he wondered to himself and began to ponder whether or not that would even work, considering that incantation that was used on the book itself that prevented it from being taken from the library.

The young Cultivator then went back to his room and began practicing what he had learned to the best of his ability. To his displeasure, much like when he tried meditating on his own, he realized that he didn’t feel anything as he attempted the First Form. Why does this have to be so hard? he swore under his breath and shook his head.

Leon went right back to repeating the form, over and over again, refusing to give up and be bested by his rival, Seth.