r was cool, carrying the crisp scent of dew. He sat up slowly, his body still aching but marginally stronger than

his qi had begun to stir. It wasn't much, just a flicker of energy, but it wa

e. The horizon was tinged with the faintest hint of dawn, painting the sky in shades of

ice was steady, but the weight of his past and the u

He straightened, wiping sweat from his brow, and opened it to find Yuna standing there.

g the herbs on the small wooden table. "But you shouldn

d, his tone calm but firm. "Every momen

erstand your determination, but you're still human, Ma

enuine, and Makoto felt a twinge of guilt for dismissing

"But this is something I have to face on my ow

dding. "Just promise me you won't overdo it,"

ter she left, a quiet reminder that h

ng grounds. The morning air buzzed with the sounds of sparring discip

curious glances from those who had heard rumors of his rec

training grounds, away from the prying eyes of the other disciples, and began a series of basic stances and movements.

un when a voice calle

kot

his face. Jin was a brash outer disciple known for his

Jin said, his tone mocking. "How about a friend

uel. Whispers spread like wildfire as the disciples s

on level. Second Stage of Qi Refining-not particularly

aid calmly, stepping in

-

Makoto faced off. Jin's smirk widened as he a

n bed," Jin taunted. "I

es. He didn't bother assuming a stance, his

st of speed. His fist, enveloped in a faint

limitations of his body. He deflected Jin's strike with a sub

d evaded his attack. He quickly recovered, his expressio

ng against Makoto's calm precision. But Makoto wasn't just dodging; he was analyzing.

ht!" Jin growled, his

n't just about brute force. It's about understanding

en palm, sending a controlled surge of force into Jin's chest. The impact wasn't e

nt as Jin dropped t

n calm but unreadable. The disciples who had gathered wh

strained as he struggled to hi

the path ahead. The duel had been a minor victory

hing from the shadows. Their eyes met briefly b

nts of the day. The sparring match had been a test-a reminder of both his potentia

was p

Slowly, painstakingly, he began circulating the energy through his dam

burned brighter. The road ahead would

beginning. Makot