Blazing Ascent

Seo-Jun and Zhong Yi followed the instructions given to them and made their way to the outer courtyard, where the new disciples' accommodations were located. The courtyard was modest but well-maintained, with rows of small wooden cabins surrounded by lush greenery. Each cabin was assigned to two disciples, and Seo-Jun and Zhong Yi were relieved to find they would be sharing one.

As they approached their cabin, they noticed another youth from Lingyun City standing nearby. He had short, dark hair and a calm demeanor, and he was carrying a small bag of belongings. He turned to them and smiled politely.

"Greetings," he said, his voice steady and warm. "I'm Lin Tao, from Lingyun City. It seems we'll be neighbors here. I recognize you both from the selection test—impressive performances."

Zhong Yi, ever the cheerful one, stepped forward with a grin. "Nice to meet you, Lin Tao! I'm Zhong Yi, and this is Seo-Jun. We're from the Crescent Moon Abode. Looks like we're all starting this journey together!"

Seo-Jun nodded in greeting. "It's good to see a familiar face. What brings you to the Blazing Sword Sect?"

Lin Tao's smile widened, but there was a hint of determination in his eyes. "My family runs a small merchant business in Lingyun City, but I've always dreamed of something more. Cultivation has always called to me, and I couldn't pass up the chance to join the sect. My parents saved for years to send me here, and I don't plan to let them down."

Zhong Yi clapped him on the shoulder. "Well, you've come to the right place! Let's make Lingyun City proud, huh?"

Lin Tao chuckled. "Agreed. It's comforting to know I'm not the only one starting from humble beginnings."

As night fell, the three of them settled into their respective cabins. Zhong Yi, however, seemed restless. He sat on his bed, flipping through the meditation manual they had been given, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Seo-Jun," he said, looking up, "I'm having trouble with this meditation technique. It says to focus on the flow of Qi, but I can't seem to get it right. It feels like I'm missing something… something spiritual."

Seo-Jun put down his sword manual and walked over. "Let me take a look." He sat beside Zhong Yi and read through the instructions. After a moment, he nodded. "I think I understand. The key is to visualize the Qi as a river flowing through your body. Don't force it—just let it move naturally. Here, try this…"

Seo-Jun guided Zhong Yi through the technique, explaining how to relax his mind and focus on the sensation of Qi. After a few attempts, Zhong Yi's face lit up. "I think I've got it! Thanks, Seo-Jun. You're a lifesaver."

Seo-Jun smiled. "We're in this together, remember?"

After helping Zhong Yi, Seo-Jun returned to his bed and picked up the Blazing Sword Foundation Technique manual. He read through it carefully, but the system's progress bar remained stubbornly at zero.

[Skill: Blazing Sword Foundation Technique (Human Level-Mid Tier)]

[Mastery: 0%]

Seo-Jun frowned. Before, reading the meditation sutra increased my progress. Why isn't this working? He thought for a moment and realized that perhaps the sword technique required more than just reading—it needed practice.

Determined, Seo-Jun grabbed the wooden practice sword he had been given and stepped outside into the training ground. The night was quiet, with only the sound of crickets and the occasional rustle of leaves breaking the silence.

He took a deep breath and swung the sword once, following the instructions in the manual. The system's progress bar didn't budge. He swung again, this time with more focus and precision, but still, nothing changed.

Frustrated, Seo-Jun was about to swing a third time when a voice came from behind him.

"Your sword lacks intent," Elder Long Wei said, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight. "It moves, but it does not live. A sword without purpose is like a flame without heat—it may flicker, but it will never burn."

Seo-Jun turned, startled, and bowed quickly. "Elder Long Wei."

The elder stepped forward, his eyes piercing yet kind. "Tell me, Seo-Jun, why do you wield the sword? What drives you to stand here in the dead of night, swinging a blade under the stars?"

Seo-Jun hesitated. He had never truly thought about it. Until now, he had been swinging the sword mechanically, following the instructions without understanding why. He closed his eyes and let his thoughts wander.

What is my goal? he asked himself. Images flashed through his mind—his past life in the hospital, Granny Wai Po's tearful smile, Zhong Yi's cheerful grin, and the promise he had made to protect those he cared about. He thought about the freedom he had always longed for and the family he wanted to build.

When he opened his eyes, they were filled with determination. "I wield the sword to be free," he said, his voice steady. "To protect those dear to me and to build a family. That is my goal."

Elder Long Wei nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Good. A sword without purpose is just a piece of metal. But a sword wielded with conviction can move mountains. Remember this as you train. Let your intent guide your blade, and your blade will guide your path."

With that, the elder turned and walked away, leaving Seo-Jun alone in the training ground.

Seo-Jun gripped the practice sword tightly, his mind clear. He swung the sword again, this time with a newfound sense of purpose. The system's progress bar flickered:

[Skill: Blazing Sword Foundation Technique (Human Level-Mid Tier)]

[Mastery: 1%]

A small smile spread across Seo-Jun's face.

The Elders POV:

The night was quiet, the kind of stillness that only the late hours could bring. Elder Long Wei strolled through the outer courtyard, his hands clasped behind his back. As he passed the training grounds, a movement caught his eye. A young disciple—barely more than a boy—was swinging a wooden practice sword. Elder Long Wei paused, his sharp eyes observing the boy's form.

Hmm, not bad, he thought. The stance is solid, and the movements are precise. But… something is missing.

He watched as the boy swung the sword again, his brow furrowed in concentration. The form was good, but the strikes lacked weight, as if the sword was an extension of his arm but not his spirit. Elder Long Wei's gaze softened. He had seen this before—disciples who practiced diligently but without understanding the heart of cultivation.

This one has potential, he mused. But he's holding himself back. Why?

The boy swung the sword once more, his frustration evident. Elder Long Wei could see the confusion in his eyes, the struggle to understand why his efforts weren't yielding results. It was a familiar sight, one that reminded him of his own early days as a disciple.

Perhaps a little guidance is in order, he thought, stepping forward. His footsteps were silent, but the boy turned as if sensing his presence.

"Your sword lacks intent," Elder Long Wei said, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight. "It moves, but it does not live. A sword without purpose is like a flame without heat—it may flicker, but it will never burn."

The boy—Seo-Jun, he recalled from the earlier introductions—bowed quickly. "Elder Long Wei."

Elder Long Wei studied him for a moment. There was something about this boy that intrigued him. He had passed the sect's tests with determination, but there was a deeper fire within him, one that hadn't yet been fully ignited.

He reminds me of myself at that age, the elder thought. Full of potential but unsure of how to channel it.

"Tell me, Seo-Jun," he said, his tone gentle but probing, "why do you wield the sword? What drives you to stand here in the dead of night, swinging a blade under the stars?"

Seo-Jun hesitated, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. Elder Long Wei could see the gears turning in the boy's mind, the struggle to put his feelings into words. It was a critical moment, one that could define the boy's path.

Come on, young one, Elder Long Wei thought. Look within yourself. Find the answer that lies in your heart.

Finally, Seo-Jun spoke, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "I wield the sword to be free. To protect those dear to me and to build a family. That is my goal."

Elder Long Wei's eyes softened, and a faint smile touched his lips. Good. Very good. He could see the sincerity in Seo-Jun's words, the clarity that had been missing before. It was a simple answer, but it carried the weight of truth.

"Good," Elder Long Wei said aloud, his voice warm with approval. "A sword without purpose is just a piece of metal. But a sword wielded with conviction can move mountains. Remember this as you train. Let your intent guide your blade, and your blade will guide your path."

He turned to leave but paused, glancing back at Seo-Jun. This one has the heart of a true cultivator, he thought. With the right guidance, he could go far.

As Elder Long Wei walked away, his mind lingered on the young disciple. He had seen countless disciples come and go over the years, but few had the spark that Seo-Jun possessed. It wasn't just his talent or his determination—it was the fire in his eyes, the unyielding desire to protect and build something greater than himself.

Perhaps I'll keep an eye on this one, he thought. He has the potential to become something extraordinary.

The night air was cool, but Elder Long Wei felt a warmth in his chest. It was moments like these that reminded him why he had dedicated his life to teaching. To see a young disciple find their purpose—it was a reward unlike any other.

Author's IMPORTANT Note:

Hello everyone! I hope you're enjoying the story so far.

So, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Do you enjoy these occasional POV shifts, or would you prefer to stay focused on Seo-Jun's perspective? Your feedback will help me shape the story in a way that works best for all of you.

Thank you for reading, and for your continued support. I'm excited to keep sharing this journey with you!