Blossoming Path

Chapter 57: Going Through the Motions

"Agh!" I let out a disgraceful sound as another strike landed on my shoulder. Before I could wallow on the floor in agony, the raised palm of Li Na came flying in again.

Reacting instinctively, my body moved before my mind could catch up, arms raised and elbow tucked in, to block the incoming blow aimed at my liver.. Despite my effort, she broke through my guard with ease and sent me sprawling to the floor.

"Get up! The Silent Moon sect disciple wouldn't be holding back, nor would they be kind enough to let you gather your breath." Instructor Xia Ji barked, her eyes narrowing as our gaze met.

A wave of frustration and helplessness washed over me. Despite my best efforts, I was still so far behind. The gap between Li Na and me felt like a chasm, impossible to bridge. A mix of admiration and envy towards her skill stirred within me, coupled with a burning determination.

I've sparred with Li Na before. It was more playful than anything, but after Instructor Xia Ji's instructions, she fought me without holding back. That wasn't even mentioning the fact that I couldn't utilize my Rooted Banyan Stance, having to withstand the strikes with only my body.

The harsh reminder of how far I was in comparison to a third-class disciple continuously humbled me. Every time I felt like I knew just how far the gap was, it only seemed to increase exponentially.

Gritting my teeth and digging my fingers into the dirt, I stumbled up and got back into my stance. A relaxed, stance with my palms slightly open. That was the only thing I was taught to do; the beginning stance to the Bamboo Reprisal Counter.

I shifted my focus, trying to calm my racing heart and frantic thoughts. Back home, when faced with a difficult diagnosis, I had always relied on my ability to observe and analyze. I needed to approach this challenge in the same way. I squinted, focusing intently on Li Na's movements.

Her body language, the subtle shift in her center of gravity, the flicker in her eyes all these were clues. I anticipated a kick, aimed at my right flank. I braced myself, ready to counter. Just as she took the final step towards me, I crossed my arms and tucked them to the side, clenching my entire body as hard as I could.

But I was wrong. Her foot, swift as a striking viper, connected not with my flank but my head. I didn't even see it coming. A mere blur from my peripheral, and then the world spun. I collapsed, the ground rushing up to meet me.

The ground was cold and hard against my cheek, and as I lay there, I felt a surge of anger at myself for not seeing the kick.

As I lay there, dazed, I heard Li Na's voice, laced with concern. "Kai! I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" she asked, cradling my head gently.

As much as I could say it was okay, I couldn't help the bit of resentment floating up in my heart. Why kick me in the head and then apologize?!

Instructor Xia Ji loomed over me, her expression stern yet not without a hint of satisfaction. "The purpose of this practice," she began, her voice steady, "is for you to get used to being hit. To anticipate and react. There's no doubt you'll get hit by the disciple you're fighting against, but learning how to minimize the damage is integral if you want to achieve victory."

Her words sank in slowly. She had Li Na target my vitals at her top speed so I could learn the tell-tale signs of an impending strike. My mind raced with the implications of her words. To anticipate an attack was to understand it. And to understand, one must first experience it. I hadn't received much practical experience in that regard. Aside from being whipped by a Wind Serpent's tail.

As I lay there, processing her words, I knew this was more than just physical training. It was a lesson in foresight, in resilience. If I wanted to learn the technique, I'd have to learn how to anticipate where the strikes are going before they occur.

But how?

Instructor Xia Ji's voice brought me back to the present. "Rest now, but be here at the same time tomorrow. Your training is far from over."

She barked out orders for the other third-class disciples to begin cleaning the training grounds. Li Na helped me up to my feet, her eyes fraught with worry and concern. Her hands were so soft, it was hard to believe that she could produce so much force with them.

"I'll help you to the dining hall. You should get some food and rest. Here," She lowered herself and offered her shoulder.

I winced, nursing several new bruises under my body, and shook my head. "Thank you, Li Na. But I can make my way back home. I just...need some time right now, is all."

She looked at me for a moment but obliged and let me go about my way back home. I could feel her stare burning a hole into my back as I got further and further away.

As I trudged back to the guest quarters, the sun setting and casting long shadows across the path, I couldn't help but think of Elder Ming. What would he say in this situation? Probably something incredibly wise and profound, leaving me just as clueless as before. He had a way of doing that, making me think deeper about every problem.

"I guess you'd tell me to 'embrace the pain as a teacher', right, Elder Ming?" I muttered to myself, imagining his knowing smile. But this time, I was alone with my thoughts, no wise elder to guide me.

I wasn't some sort of genius who could just understand everything at a glance. I had to break it down, analyze each part of today's training. What did I miss? How could I have anticipated those strikes? These questions swirled in my mind as I cradled my injured body.

Before I knew it, I had made my way back to the entrance to my room. Sliding open the wooden door, I was met with the sight of Windy sleeping peacefully, wrapped around the beast core of their predecessor. Tianyi made her way towards me, her antennae twitching as though taking note of my dishevelled appearance.

"...It has been a long day. I think I'll just lie down on the bed for a moment. Sorry, Tianyi."

I stripped off my robes which were tattered in numerous places. Fixing them up wasn't much of a problem. To a certain extent, all my clothes were banged up. I got dressed in the pristine white robes that the sect had graciously provided for me. Despite changing, I could still feel the dirt, sweat, and grime clinging to my body.

I should go downstairs to where the bathhouse was, it's been a couple of days since I last cleaned myself.

As I closed my eyes, I felt the familiar thrum of Tianyi's powers circulating within me, her tiny body perched atop my stomach.

Was it just me, or were her powers getting stronger?

I opened my eyes to look at her status.

Name: Tianyi

Race: Mystical Butterfly

Affinity: Wood

Cultivation Rank: Qi Initiation Stage - Rank 2

Special Abilities:

Qi Haven: Transforms frequented areas into concentrated qi zones, boosting recovery and cultivation efficiency for those within its boundaries.

Moonlight Empowerment: Gains increased power and vitality under the moonlight.

Qi Siphon: Can absorb small amounts of qi from its surroundings to sustain itself.

Qi Transfer: Can imbue living beings with energy by transferring its qi, providing a small boost to those who receive it.

Qi Infusion: Infuse your body with qi, strengthening and making it faster.

Bond Level: 3 (Close Companion) - Tianyi has formed a deep bond with you, displaying loyalty and commitment to your shared journey. Her abilities may strengthen in response to your connection, and she will be more attuned to your emotions and needs. Additional abilities or enhancements may become available as your bond continues to grow.

...No, there wasn't anything visible. But clearly my body was being repaired at a faster rate than before. The effects weren't this immediate. But I supposed it made sense, the difference between ranks two and three were quite significant.

In that regard, maybe it meant the same for me as well. There wasn't much change to my skills according to the Heavenly Interface, but wasn't I getting stronger, smarter, and more skilled as the days passed?

Even if only a few numbers had changed, would the version of 'me' that hadn't gone up against the Wind Serpents be able to fight the 'me' of now? Could my previous self understand the concepts of alchemy as easily as I did now, even if what separated us was just a few levels between my Mind, Nature's Attunement and Spiritual Herbalism?

In that sense, I wasn't even half as proficient with the Rooted Banyan Stance than I am now.

"You may be a genius Tianyi, but I won't lag behind either."

She stopped her circulation of energy and looked at me in confusion. I didn't bother elaborating, going deep into my Memory Palace.

Feng Wu's advice resounded within me. To use the Memory Palace technique as a mere knowledge repository; was just the surface of its capabilities.

Amidst the towering trees that contained all the knowledge I gained throughout my life, I stepped forward into a clearing of grass and imagined.

I stepped into the vast, open clearing within my Memory Palace, a space where the sun's golden rays trickled through the dense canopy above, casting shimmering patterns on the soft, vibrant grass beneath my feet. The air was fresh, filled with the earthy scent of the surrounding forest and the subtle fragrance of wildflowers that dotted the clearing's edges. This was a sanctuary of my own making, a place where I could dissect and understand my experiences with a clarity that eluded me in the real world.

In the center of the clearing, I recreated the sparring scene with Li Na, down to the finest detail. The hard-packed earth of the training ground under my feet, the distant clatter of wooden swords from other disciples, the faint smell of sweat and iron in the air it all came alive in my mind. Even the slight breeze that had rustled through the courtyard, carrying the scent of pine and the distant aroma of cooking from the sect's kitchens.

And there she was, Li Na, standing before me once more. In this Memory Palace, she was as real as she had been during our spar. I watched her intently, observing the minutest movements the slight tensing of her muscles, the almost imperceptible shift in her weight, the way her eyes narrowed fractionally before she struck.

I replayed the moment she launched her palm strike towards my liver. This time, my reaction was swifter, more precise. I raised my arms, tucking in my elbow just as I had in reality, but with a crucial difference. As her palm neared, I twisted my hips, angling my body to reduce the force of the strike. I felt the impact, a jolt that pushed me back, but it was nothing compared to the crippling pain I had endured during the actual spar.

I was left incredulous, my heart pounding with excitement at the negligible amount of damage I had taken. "I did it..." I whispered to myself, a smile creeping onto my lips. But my triumph was short-lived.

As I stood there in the midst of my Memory Palace, a surge of conflicting emotions washed over me. The thrill of that small victory was like a ray of hope piercing through a relentless storm of doubts. For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to bask in the warmth of this newfound confidence, feeling a burgeoning sense of determination swell within me. Yet, almost as quickly, a wave of anxiety crashed over me, dousing the flames of triumph.

What if this was just an illusion of progress? What if, in the real world, I couldn't replicate this success? The weight of these questions bore down on me, heavy and unrelenting. But in that turmoil, a spark of resolve ignited. I couldn't let fear dictate my path. I had to confront these challenges head-on, no matter how daunting they seemed.

The imagined Li Na was relentless, her movements fluid and unyielding. A kick, swift and powerful, was already arcing towards me. I was too slow to react this time, the blow landing squarely, jolting me out of the visualization. "Argh!"

Unfortunately, the extent of my visualization encompassed the sensation of pain.

Panting slightly, I leaned against an imaginary tree, rubbing my temple in frustration. "This Memory Palace technique... sometimes it feels like my mind is working against me," I grumbled. It was a strange sensation, feeling both the thrill of success and the sting of failure within the confines of my own mind.

But then, as I replayed the scene of me successfully blocking the palm strike, a sense of revelation washed over me. The sensation of twisting my body, the exact timing of my movement, it all clicked into place. A breakthrough was at hand.

Eagerly, I stepped back into the clearing, my determination renewed. I imagined Li Na once more, her stance, her gaze, every detail vivid and clear. This time, I was ready. As she moved, I observed, picking up on those tiny cues that had eluded me before. The subtle tensing of her shoulders, the slight pivot of her foot, each small sign was a precursor to her strikes.

I moved in tandem with her, my body responding almost instinctively. I blocked, dodged, and even started to anticipate her moves. Each successful defense bolstered my confidence, each mistake a lesson to be learned.

Sweat beaded on my forehead, not from physical exertion, but from the intense focus required to maintain this level of visualization. I was no longer just a passive participant in these memories; I was actively engaging, learning, evolving.

As I continued, the boundary between reality and imagination blurred. The sensations became more tangible, the sounds more distinct. It was as if I was truly there, sparring with Li Na under the watchful eyes of Instructor Xia Ji.

Lost in this state of deep concentration, I honed my skills, pushing myself further than I had ever before. Each iteration of the spar was an opportunity to refine my reactions, to understand Li Na's fighting style better, to grow stronger.

Finally, as exhaustion began to set in, I stepped back, breathing heavily. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, but one thing was crystal clear I had made progress, tangible progress. In my Memory Palace, I had not only relived the spar but transformed it into a tool for my growth.

With a deep breath, I opened my eyes, returning to the reality of my room. The sensation of the grass under my feet and the sun on my skin faded, replaced by the familiar surroundings of my quarters. But the feeling of accomplishment, of having achieved something significant, remained. Taking a moment to open my eyes, I saw that Windy had moved from his spot near the window to my arm, taking comfort in my body warmth. Tianyi was still on my stomach, having finished her task of repairing my body. I clenched and unclenched my fist feeling the soreness and pain all over my body greatly diminished.

I was thirsty, but I couldn't move without waking up the two spirit beasts resting on top of me. I shrugged, deciding to stay in place and continue where I left off after some rest.

"I'll keep practicing, keep learning," I promised myself, a determined glint in my eyes. "Tomorrow, I'll be better prepared."

Settling down on my bed, I closed my eyes once more, diving back into the depths of my Memory Palace, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.