"Senior brother, are you inside?" Li Yao's voice penetrated into Xiang Yu's consciousness like a lifeline pulling him from the depths of an endless void.
In the next second, his eyes flickered open, adjusting to reality with disorienting suddenness.
"Senior brother, I'm coming in," her voice announced as the door swung open. Li Yao paused in the doorway, observing Xiang Yu still seated in his meditation posture, awareness slowly returning to his features.
"Senior brother, are you okay?" Concern colored her tone. "You didn't come to train, so I thought something happened."
Xiang Yu blinked several times, his mind still half-trapped in that boundless emptiness. The transition back to physical reality felt jarring, like being violently yanked from a dream. "Training?" he asked, confusion evident in his voice.
Only then did the realization strike him. Sunlight streamed through the open doorway, illuminating his quarters with morning brightness. How was it already dawn? He had only intended to practice for one hour—how had the entire night slipped away? That sensation of peaceful non-existence... the memory sent a chill down his spine. How dangerously seductive it had been.
He exhaled slowly, deliberately steadying himself. "Oh, training. I was just practicing the technique given by Master. I lost track of time, sorry," he explained as he rose to his feet with careful movements, his body stiff from hours of motionless meditation. "We can go now."
The two disciples walked slowly toward the training grounds. Xiang Yu remained distracted, his thoughts circling back to what had happened during his practice of the Mountain Heart Sutra. Was that what falling to mental demons felt like? His greatest desire was survival, so perhaps his mental demons manifested as contentment with mere existence—feeling nothing, doing nothing, just... being. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞
His expression hardened as a troubling thought crossed his mind. If Li Yao hadn't called out to him, he might truly have fallen into that trap. That wasn't the survival he wanted—he had no desire to become a vegetable merely existing. He wanted to truly live, to survive without sacrificing other aspects of his life. Well, except for his body, of course, but that was different.
With a contemplative sigh, he mentally summoned his status screen, curious whether anything had changed after his night of meditation. To his surprise, something had indeed changed:
[Mind: Level 1]
[Enlightenment: Low (50/1000)]
[Battle Instinct: (20/100,000)]
[Scriptures: Mountain Heart Scripture: 4th Layer (48/400); Mountain Heart Sutra: Level 1(1/1000)]
A new stat had appeared—[Mind] at level one. Even more surprising was that his Enlightenment had increased by two points, and his Battle Instinct had jumped by four points. The Enlightenment increase wasn't entirely unexpected, given the high-level scripture he'd practiced, but the Battle Instinct gain was remarkable. Apart from his initial one point, he hadn't been able to raise this attribute without the system's doubling effect. Now it had increased by four points—almost half of what he had possessed the previous day.
He examined the new entry in his scripture section with fascination. The [Mountain Heart Sutra] was only at level one, yet required a thousand points to advance. Still, he was genuinely surprised he could learn it at all. If he had to guess, both scriptures were at least high-grade. Perhaps he'd succeeded because he had already mastered the Mountain Heart Scripture—considered the other half of this cultivation method.
Despite his close brush with mental demons, Xiang Yu recognized the sutra's tremendous value. It offered a pathway to increase his Enlightenment and Battle Instinct more rapidly. Though the danger of falling into that seductive void remained, he simply needed to exercise greater caution in the future.
...
Xiang Yu and Li Yao moved across the training ground in their familiar dance of steel against steel. Today, Xiang Yu wielded his knife instead of the sword since his sword technique had already reached the halfway point to completion. Besides, he needed to push his knife technique further to maintain its lead. If both techniques reached the same level simultaneously, the sword would no longer mooch off of the knife's advanced insights which would slow down his pace.
As his blade met Li Yao's with practiced precision, Xiang Yu noticed a subtle yet significant change in his combat awareness. The exchanges felt more fluid, his responses more natural. This wasn't about raw power—he remained hopelessly outmatched by his junior sister in that department—but rather his adaptability had markedly improved. The doubling of his battle instinct certainly played a role, but he suspected the newly acquired mind stat contributed equally to this enhancement.
When his battle awareness revealed openings in Li Yao's guard, his mind seemed to sharpen with laser-like focus, filtering out extraneous stimuli and distractions. The world narrowed to just that one crucial moment, that single opportunity. Was this what Elder Guo meant about giving his all to whatever path he chose? The clarity felt invigorating, yet he recognized that this enhanced focus would apply equally to escape should he choose that option instead. His nature remained unchanged—survival still drove his every decision—but his execution had become more decisive, more complete.
If a single stat in the mind stat produced such noticeable improvements, what might become possible as it advanced further? The prospect of reaching level two or beyond sent a thrill of anticipation through him.
Li Yao blocked a particularly aggressive strike from his knife, creating distance between them with a graceful backward leap. She observed her senior brother with analytical eyes, noting the subtle shift in his approach. Unlike previous sessions where hesitation plagued his movements, today he attacked with greater assertiveness, actively capitalizing on opportunities rather than second-guessing them. Though still far from the aggressive fighter she hoped to mold him into, this willingness to counterattack represented significant progress compared to his former habit of waiting to confirm each opening—by which time the opportunity had invariably vanished.
From his private chamber overlooking the training grounds, Elder Guo watched the disciples with growing satisfaction. His weathered eyes tracked Xiang Yu's movements carefully, noting the improved clarity and purpose behind each strike. A slight nod of approval moved his beard as he reconsidered his initial assessment of the boy's potential. He had clearly underestimated Xiang Yu's comprehension ability—the disciple had not only managed to learn the Mountain Heart Sutra but was already integrating its benefits into his combat style.
If the boy continued at this rate, combining his extraordinary battle awareness with the mental clarity provided by the sutra, he would undoubtedly develop into a formidable combat expert.
The golden sunlight poured over the training grounds as Xiang Yu and Li Yao continued their relentless sparring. Steel clashed against steel in a rhythmic symphony of combat, their movements growing more fluid with each exchange. Neither disciple showed any sign of yielding as the morning sun climbed higher, its rays intensifying from gentle warmth to scorching heat. Their dedication remained unwavering, sweat glistening on their brows as they pushed each other to new limits.
Only when the sun reached its zenith, signaling the lunch hour, did they finally lower their weapons. With practiced synchronization, they sheathed their blades and made their way toward the kitchen.
Inside the kitchen, Xiang Yu moved with a grace that hadn't been present before. His newly elevated 8th Grade cooking skill manifested in every precise movement of his hands. The knife in his grip became an extension of himself, slicing through vegetables and meat with surgical precision. Each cut was measured perfectly, each ingredient prepared with mathematical exactness that bordered on artistry.
Li Yao, initially tasked with washing vegetables, found herself transfixed by her senior brother's performance. Her hands stilled over the basin as she watched him work, mesmerized by the professionalism. He looked like a master craftsman at work. His movements flowed with elegant efficiency, economical yet somehow beautiful in their precision.
When he slid open the lid of the final dish, steam billowed forth in fragrant clouds. The aroma spread throughout the Mountain Heart Pavilion like an invisible summons, rich and complex with layered notes that promised extraordinary flavor. Almost immediately, the padding of footsteps announced the arrival of Elder Guo and Elder Huang, drawn by the irresistible scent.
As the dishes were arranged on the table, anticipation hung heavy in the air. The moment Elder Guo gave his customary nod of approval, everyone eagerly reached for their chopsticks, impatient to begin.
Elder Guo stared at the meal before him with widening eyes. "This is..." The words died in his throat as he observed something extraordinary. Though not true spiritual food, the dishes possessed qualities that transcended ordinary cuisine. The ambient qi in the atmosphere seemed drawn to the food, wisps of energy attaching themselves to the expertly prepared ingredients.
Unable to resist any longer, he seized his chopsticks and attacked the meal with uncharacteristic haste. After clearing his plate with impressive speed, a satisfied burp escaped him. He could feel the qi from the meal spreading slowly into his dantian, like gentle ripples in a pond. Though not as effective as proper cultivation, the sensation was undeniably pleasurable—his spiritual energy increasing, however marginally, simply from enjoying a meal.
When Elder Huang finished her portion, her expression darkened as she stared at her empty plate. The pavilion fell silent as everyone turned toward her, confusion evident on their faces. Without warning, she rose from her seat, the sudden movement startling Elder Guo beside her. With deliberate steps, she approached Xiang Yu and stood before him.
"Martial aunt?" Xiang Yu questioned, uncertainty in his voice.
She placed her hand on his shoulder, and to everyone's shock, tears began streaming down her face. "This shi is so magnificent," she declared with emotional intensity.
Suddenly aware of her undignified display, she hastily wiped away her tears. "It seems martial nephew's cooking has achieved a breakthrough," she observed, composing herself. "It's such a pity you don't have a spiritual root, so you can't make real spiritual food." A smile spread across her face. "But I have just the solution for you."
Elder Guo stood abruptly. "You mean..." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
Before he could finish, she continued, "That's right, there's a spirit fire I acquired back when I was young, but I kept it since it wasn't compatible with me." Her eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. "After seeing your talent, I've decided you're the only person worthy of wielding this spirit flame." Fresh tears streamed down her face, as though she'd finally found a worthy successor.
"Hmph, stop pretending. You just want to give it to him so he can make you spirit food," Elder Guo interjected, seeing through her motives.
"Should I not give it to him?" she snapped back sharply.
Elder Guo paused, suddenly remembering that Xiang Yu was, after all, his disciple. If the boy could make spirit food, wouldn't he, as the master, be the first to taste it? "My apologies, I have misspoken," he conceded, lowering himself back into his chair.
In his mind, laughter bubbled up at the fortuitous situation. If his disciple received a spirit flame, it would not only enhance the boy's combat abilities but also allow him to prepare spirit food for his master—a perfect demonstration of filial piety. After years of nurturing this seemingly talentless disciple, he might finally see a worthwhile return on his investment. Elder Guo suppressed a smile, silently congratulating himself on his genius.
...
"What's a spirit flame?" Li Yao asked internally, her curiosity piqued by the elders' conversation.
[You can think of them as natural treasures born from the world,] the Empress's voice echoed in her mind with scholarly precision. [Though they can be used for combat, they are mostly used for secondary professions—pill refining, artifact refining, or in your senior brother's case, cooking,] she explained.
Xiang Yu remained silent, his expression contemplative as he considered his martial aunt's unexpected proposal. Before he could fully process the implications or formulate a response, Elder Huang's enthusiasm overwhelmed any potential hesitation.
"I'll go bring it right away!" she exclaimed, her excitement palpable as she took to the air, her figure becoming a dwindling silhouette against the azure sky.
Elder Guo rose from his seat, "Don't think too much about it and just accept it," he advised, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Your martial aunt is a researcher and possesses many valuable treasures. It would be a pity if you didn't take advantage of her generosity every once in a while." With that parting wisdom delivered, he too departed, leaving the disciples alone with their thoughts.
Xiang Yu watched his master's retreating form, internally acknowledging the soundness of the elder's counsel. Even without such encouragement, he had already resolved to accept the gift. Spirit flames were exceptionally rare treasures, coveted by cultivators across the realms. The practical benefits alone made refusal unthinkable.
The most appealing aspect of spirit flames, he reflected, was their nature as perpetually burning elemental essences that required no qi to sustain. Unlike most cultivation techniques that remained inaccessible to him due to his lack of spiritual roots, a spirit flame would allow him to perform impressive feats like coating his weapons with mystical fire, significantly enhancing his combat capabilities despite his limitations.
Still, he couldn't help but marvel at his martial aunt possessing such a treasure. The Azure Cloud Sword Sect was merely an eighth-grade sect in the greater hierarchy of cultivation powers. For Elder Huang to have an item valued even by first-grade sects was truly remarkable. Of course, the true value depended entirely on the flame's grade—spirit flames were classified from ninth grade to first grade, with first being the most powerful. Perhaps she merely possessed a ninth-grade flame, though even that would be a considerable treasure by any reasonable standard.
Questions about why the flame proved incompatible with her flickered through his mind, but he set such speculation aside. The afternoon training session awaited, and maintaining his rigorous schedule remained paramount to his exponential growth.
With unspoken agreement, he and Li Yao turned toward the training grounds, ready to resume their relentless pursuit of martial excellence.