As Feiyin walked through the bustling streets of Red Moon City, he felt as if he had stepped into another world.
The village of Pine, with its tranquil forests and familiar faces, now seemed like a distant memory compared to the vivid chaos of the city. The streets stretched endlessly, lined with stone buildings taller than any he had ever seen, their roofs adorned with banners bearing symbols he didn't recognize. Merchants called out their wares, hawking everything from fragrant spices to shimmering fabrics. The smell of roasted meats and sweet pastries drifted through the air, mingling with the scent of incense and fresh ink from calligraphy stalls.
Feiyin's eyes darted everywhere, absorbing the unfamiliar yet exhilarating sights and sounds.
"Stay close," his father's deep voice reminded him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
"I know," Feiyin replied, though his gaze was already pulled away by a street performer balancing on a long pole, juggling flaming torches.
His mother chuckled at his reaction. "If you're this amazed already, the festival will be overwhelming."
Feiyin grinned, his steps bouncing with excitement as they navigated the busy streets. His parents led him past rows of inns, tea houses, and trading posts, their exteriors decorated with paper lanterns that swayed gently in the wind. After a short walk, they stopped before a modest yet well-kept inn, the sign above the entrance reading "Moonlit Rest" in elegant brushstrokes.
Inside, the warm glow of lanterns cast soft shadows against the wooden walls. The scent of tea and polished cedar filled the air, and a few travelers sat at tables, quietly drinking and chatting. Behind the counter stood an elderly innkeeper, her sharp eyes scanning their group as they approached.
"How many nights?" she asked, her voice polite but businesslike.
"Two," Mei Liao answered. "A single room."
The innkeeper nodded. "Festival pricing, 10 Essence Coins per night."
Cai Feng's brow twitched slightly, but he simply exhaled and placed the twenty coins onto the counter. The old woman slid them into a wooden box, handing over a small bronze key.
"Second floor, end of the hall," she instructed before returning to her ledger.
Feiyin followed his parents upstairs, noting the sturdy wooden floors and the faint creak beneath their steps. Their room was simple but comfortable, with a thick straw mattress, a wooden table, and a small window overlooking the street below.
Mei Liao set down her visible baggage, while Feiyin noticed the way she slipped a hand into her robes, undoubtedly checking the spatial pouch hidden within.
"We won't be staying indoors for long," she said, turning to Feiyin with a knowing smile. "Shall we see the festival?"
Feiyin nearly leaped toward the door.
The city center was a riot of colors and sound.
Massive red and gold banners hung across the main square, illuminated by floating lanterns. Drummers played lively rhythms, their beats resonating through the air, while dancers in vibrant costumes twirled gracefully on raised platforms. Performers balanced on long poles, leaping from one to another with impossible agility, while fire-breathers sent bursts of flame into the night sky, earning cheers from the crowd.
Feiyin turned in a circle, his senses flooded with oscillations. The hum of voices, the flicker of flames, the steady drumbeats, it all blended together like a great symphony of movement and energy.
"Look at that one!" Feiyin pointed toward a masked performer wielding twin fans, their fabric catching fire as he spun them in mesmerizing patterns.
Mei Liao chuckled. "You're drawn to the fire again?"
Feiyin grinned sheepishly, remembering his last reckless experiment.
Cai Feng, standing beside them, smirked. "Better to watch first, before trying to play with it."
Feiyin ignored the comment, his attention drawn elsewhere, to the rows of food stalls lining the square. Skewers of roasted meats sizzled over open flames, dumplings steamed in large bamboo baskets, and vendors called out, advertising honey-glazed pastries, candied nuts, and spicy soups.
Mei Liao handed Feiyin a small pouch of coins, smiling. "Go ahead. Get what you like."
Feiyin beamed, darting off toward the nearest stall. He exchanged coins for a crispy scallion pancake, the savory aroma making his stomach grumble. He took a bite, the rich flavor exploding on his tongue.
As he chewed, loud cheers erupted nearby, drawing his attention to the central platform.
A fighting tournament.
The raised stone arena in the middle of the square was surrounded by a dense crowd, people shouting and placing bets as two fighters clashed in the center. Both were in the Body Tempering Realm, their movements swift, their strikes echoing with bursts of inner strength.
Feiyin hurried back to his parents, pointing at the tournament. "What's happening there?"
Cai Feng glanced at the stage. "A contest. Fighters below the Meridian Opening Realm compete for the festival's prize, 1000 Essence Coins."
Feiyin's eyes widened. "A thousand? That's…"
Mei Liao smiled. "Enough to support a small family for months."
Feiyin turned back to the fighters, his excitement growing. The current match was reaching its peak, one combatant, a burly young man, sent a powerful stomp into the ground, causing the stone beneath them to crack as shockwaves rippled outward. His opponent, a leaner fighter, dodged nimbly, countering with a fluid, twisting kick that struck at just the right angle, sending his opponent tumbling backward.
Feiyin watched in awe, his mind racing.
"The first fighter focused on strength," he murmured, "but the second used precision. He deflected the force instead of trying to block it directly."
Cai Feng nodded approvingly. "Good observation. In a fight, raw strength isn't enough, control, timing, and positioning make all the difference."
Feiyin turned to his mother. "Which style do you think is better?"
Mei Liao tapped her chin, watching as the lean fighter moved gracefully between attacks. "That depends on the person. Some prefer to meet force with force. Others… learn to redirect."
Feiyin's mind spun. His training had always been about balance, strength and control, yin and yang. Watching these fighters, he could see it now.
The push and pull. The give and take.
The match ended when the lean fighter used his opponent's own momentum against him, sending him sprawling out of the ring.
The crowd erupted into cheers, and Feiyin couldn't tear his eyes away.
One day, he wanted to be up there.
He turned to his father, determination burning in his chest. "Do you think I could enter next year?"
Cai Feng studied him for a long moment before smirking. "If you train properly. No rushing ahead."
Feiyin grinned. He would do it.
For now, he was content just watching. But one day, he'd be the one standing on that stage, proving his strength for all to see.
The cheers of the crowd had barely died down when the next two fighters stepped onto the platform, their auras brimming with confidence. Feiyin, still chewing on the last bite of his scallion pancake, quickly swallowed and turned his full attention back to the arena. His father had said no rushing ahead, but he could already feel his excitement building.
"These two look different," Feiyin murmured, noticing their postures.
Mei Liao, standing beside him, nodded. "One is light on his feet, the other is rooted like a tree. Two very different approaches."
The first fighter was a young woman with sharp, calculating eyes, her stance low and flexible. She bounced lightly on the balls of her feet, shifting subtly with every breath. She was fast. Feiyin could tell just by looking.
Her opponent was a broad-shouldered man, his arms thick with muscle, his stance deep and unwavering. Unlike the previous match, this was not a contest of overwhelming force versus agility, this was precision against resilience.
A sharp clang echoed through the air as the referee's staff struck the stone, signaling the start.
The woman moved first.
She dashed forward in a blur, her foot barely grazing the ground before she launched herself into a twisting strike. Her leg shot out like a whip, aiming for her opponent's side.
The man didn't dodge.
Instead, he braced himself, turning his body just slightly. The moment her kick connected, Feiyin saw it, the way the man's muscles tightened and flexed, absorbing the force rather than resisting it outright.
He countered immediately.
With a powerful twist of his hips, he struck out with a palm that sent a shockwave rippling through the air. The woman twisted mid-air, just barely evading the attack, but the force alone pushed her backward.
Feiyin's eyes widened. "He absorbed the impact instead of blocking it. Then used it to counter."
Cai Feng smiled. "Good. Strength isn't just about hitting hard, it's about taking hits the right way."
Feiyin watched in fascination as the fight continued. It became clear that the woman was faster, weaving in and out like a flowing river, but the moment she got too close, the man would turn into a mountain, soaking up her blows and sending his own devastating counters.
For a while, it seemed like neither could gain the upper hand. Then, in a flash, the woman changed tactics.
She feinted a high kick, then dropped low, her leg sweeping beneath the man's stance.
It was a trap.
The moment he shifted to counter, she twisted like a serpent, using her speed to coil around his incoming strike and drive an open palm straight into his abdomen.
A loud thud echoed across the arena.
The man staggered.
Then fell.
The crowd exploded in cheers, some people groaning at lost bets while others clapped in admiration. The referee stepped forward, declaring the woman the winner, and Feiyin let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"That…" he murmured, eyes still locked on the victorious fighter, "was incredible."
His father crossed his arms, watching the fallen man as he groaned and picked himself up. "She used his own stability against him. He was strong, but he relied too much on his foundation. She found the one moment when he was off balance and struck before he could recover."
Mei Liao smiled at her son's sparkling eyes. "Did you learn something?"
Feiyin nodded eagerly. "That power isn't just about standing your ground, it's about knowing when to bend, and when to strike."
His mother reached out, ruffling his hair with a laugh. "Exactly. You don't always need to be the strongest. You just need to understand your opponent better than they understand themselves."
Feiyin grinned, eyes still glued to the arena. He could see it now, himself standing in that ring, feeling the rush of battle, testing himself against skilled opponents.
One day.
But for now…
Cai Feng placed a hand on his shoulder, breaking him from his thoughts. "Come on. We'll be here all night if we keep watching matches. There's still more to see."
Feiyin hesitated, his heart still racing from the fight. But when he turned and saw the twinkling lights of the festival ahead, the scent of more delicious food drifting through the air, and the distant sound of street performers playing music, he nodded.
"Alright," he said, already bouncing on his heels. "Let's go see more."
And with that, they left the cheers of the tournament behind, stepping once more into the lively, vibrant festival night.