Chapter 9 – The First Step
Before the sun had dared to crest over the ancient rooftops of the old city, the courtyard of Golden Relics & Antiques was already alive.
Morning shadows clung to the stone walls, and a faint, earthy mist curled around bamboo stalks.
From the second-floor window, Bruce Chan watched a figure move with practiced rhythm.
Jackie was already training. His form flowed like water, fists slicing the air, each movement purposeful and sharp. Muscles coiled and released in harmony, breath controlled, every strike punctuated by the soft thud against wooden dummies.
Bruce quickly dressed and padded downstairs, heart beating with quiet anticipation. The smell of ginseng tea wafted through the house.
The moment he stepped onto the courtyard stones, he spotted Uncle sitting cross-legged near the center platform, teacup cradled in one hand, eyes closed, posture erect.
"Early bird catch Chi," Uncle muttered without looking. "Late bird become Soup ingredient." Bruce couldn't help but chuckle.
Jackie, catching his breath mid-kick, called out between motions, "At least you're not soup, Bruce."
Bruce grinned and stepped onto the stone platform, quietly settling in front of Uncle. The air was cool against his skin, but there was a strange warmth buzzing beneath it like the courtyard itself was breathing.
Uncle opened his eyes slowly, setting his teacup aside. "Today, you begin your Journey and it starts with the Vessel!!"
"Your Vessel is weak, reason for precious Chi to Leak" Uncle continued
"Vessel?" Bruce questioned
Jackie nodded "Weak Vessel means Weak body. Even though your body is strong compared to others of your age it still lack's when it comes to containing your Wild Chi, so we must train your body."
"First, I'll help you train your body while uncle helps you understand your Chi" Jackie added and rolled out a scroll and weighed the corners with river stones.
The canvas revealed stages of lotus flower—simple bud to radiant bloom.
"There is Chi inside every living being," Uncle stated, his voice now teacher-sharp. "It rest in your body. It sleeps, unless you call it."
Bruce's breath hitched. He remembered that glowing mist from meditation—the golden mist that hummed with heat and the black mist… still locked away. For now, he said nothing and continued listening.
Uncle gestured to the first drawing. "Stage One: Awakening Chi. This is where the dormant Chi awaken and stirs within one's body. The awaken Chi begins to travel through one's inner pathways which is fixed.
There are two steps under AwakeningChi, First the practitioner has to first senses their Chi which you already done.
Second is you learn your body's unique chi pathway and the rhythm in which your Chi flows within that pathway."
Jackie added, "Everyone's pathways and rhythm is different. Like rivers shaped by different lands."
Uncle continued, "When chi awaken, it comes under one of four potential :-
One, Weak Chi - Soft, slow and fragile to guide, Work Hard to build upon.
Two, Balanced Chi – Steady and healthy. Ideal of flow and control.
Three, Strong Chi – Potent and Powerful, easily overwhelmed.
Four is you, Wild Chi – Unpredictable, chaotic and dangerous. Overflowing and if left unchecked, it becomes Broken Chi."
Jackie chimed in with a grin. "Wild Chi is like a pet tiger. You train it or get eaten."
Bruce nodded slowly, images of his Chi pulsing strong, moving fast and felt hot, along with the strange inner pearl flickering through his thoughts. It felt like the black mist didn't seem positive like his Chi. 'Maybe it's opposite of my Chi?' an idea came to his mind.
'I'll have to investigate it, maybe try Uncle's library or a more practical approach is to ask Jackie about it but it will have to wait until the time is right'
Uncle tapped the second drawing. "Stage Two: Chi Control. Once sensing and understanding your chi flow, you gain control and circulate chi through body's Chi pathway to use basic Chi application and later compress inward—drawing all to your core while adding your intent, and there… forming the Lotus Seed."
"What does intent mean in Chi training?" Bruce questioned to which Jackie replied "Intent is basically your State of Mind which influence your Chi to control it."
"What's next after Lotus Seed" Bruce asked with curiosity
"The seed will use your Chi as nutrition to mature into a Lotus Bud which is your foundation. The longer you stay in this stage, the stronger your Lotus Bud becomes. A rushed foundation cracks later."
Bruce leaned forward, intrigued. "A strong bud mean strong flower," Uncle said. "And you will need a strong flower to control that Wild Chi."
He pointed to the blooming image. "Stage Three: Blooming the Lotus. Under your command, your inner chi trigger the bud to bloom. When the lotus start blooming, it acts as spiritual filter. It pulls natural chi from around you-from wind, earth, water—and refine it. That purified chi becomes yours."
Bruce blinked, stunned. "So… the world's energy becomes mine?"
Uncle smiled. "Only what your flower can handle. A weak flower break. A solid foundation flower is strong."
Jackie leaned in. "That's when the real fun begins. Chi enhancement, elemental techniques, maybe even spells—if your flower blooms strong enough and if you have an affinity for it."
Finally, Uncle tapped the last lotus—mature and radiant. "Stage Four: Living Sage. When flower fully bloom and mature, you reach pinnacle of chi mastery. You wield internal and external chi as one. The flower become your true center, guiding techniques, shaping your potential."
Jackie added, "Each sage's bloom manifests differently, Uncle is almost at fourth stage-Living Sage. He's great at using spells and making counter-curses. That's his specialty."
"And you?" Bruce asked. Jackie grinned. "2 years ago I entered stage three. Blooming Lotus. My body is my strength and my Chi enhances physical prowess-speed, reflex, resilience. My Chi resists spellcasting, but in combat… I'm unmatched."
Uncle sighed. "Like ox. Strong, but not clever." Jackie rolled his eyes. Bruce took a deep breath. "And me?"
Jackie chuckled and Uncle replied "Aiyah! That only training will reveal."
Bruce exhaled, grounding himself. "I'll take every step. I won't rush."
Uncle poured more tea. "Then breath, Let Chi bloom"
[Breakfast in the Kitchen]
After Morning practice, the scent of fried shallots and warm rice wafted through the kitchen walls. Bruce carried bowls to the low wooden table, while Jackie expertly stirred scrambled eggs and vegetables in a seasoned wok.
Uncle sat at the head of the table with a teapot, refilling everyone's cups. "Today not bad," he said, inspecting Bruce. "You not faint, fall asleep, or drool"
"I call that progress," Jackie grinned.
Bruce chuckled. "I felt something. Just a flicker, but… it was there." Uncle took a sip and nodded. "Yes. Your breath rhythm matched your chi path. Very rare for beginners. Your Start understand Chi within."
Bruce grew quiet. "I want to keep going" said with determination while Jackie set a plate of food in front of him. "Good. Because tomorrow's harder." "I figured," Bruce said with mock dread.
Uncle leaned back with a sly smile. "Chi not grow in comfort. It grows in fire, ice, and hunger."
They all dug into breakfast. The warmth of porridge, the sizzle of wok-fried eggs, and the scent of jasmine tea filled the small kitchen. Outside, the city bustled, but within these walls, it was calm, a sanctuary. Bruce glanced at the window, where the morning sun now shone.
The first step had been taken.
And the long road of the Living Sage had begun.
-----END-----
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