-
"I've heard that every time his hammer struck the sword, its rumble echoed across the lands. The hammer served not only as a weapon but also as a tool for forging of unparalleled power." - Whispers from a dimly lit tavern.
-
Teacher Song Ming stood frozen, his mouth slightly open as he leaned on his black walking stick, staring at Long Tianyu and Hua Qingqing as they subtly manipulated the qi around them, guiding it into their spiritual cores. His mind raced. He could hardly believe it. Despite all his own efforts he himself could not guide the qi into his spiritual core, all he did was to mention what he had heard many years ago.
He had heard rumors about Hua Mei, perhaps a hint of latent talent passed down, but Long Tianyu's family… they were as mortal as anyone could be. Even generations back, Song Ming knew of no cultivators in the line. And the other children? They had tried, struggled, and failed, yet these two seemed to do it naturally.
The other children, undeterred, frolicked about, bouncing and skipping through the soft grass. They tried to mimic the movements of the two, waving their hands in exaggerated gestures, hoping that perhaps a bit of the energy would rub off. Most ended up tangled in each other's robes or tripping over bamboo shoots, which only made them laugh harder. It was a chaotic symphony of giggles and rustling leaves.
Long Tianyu looked over at Nong Xuanfeng, his eyes gleaming with excitement and a dash of arrogance.
"Listen, Feng," he said, elbowing his friend lightly, "one day, I'm going to be a divine cultivator, so make me a sword so sharp it can cut the wind itself! Hehe… maybe I will even cut the Shadowjade Mountain in half!"
Nong Xuanfeng raised an eyebrow, unimpressed but secretly amused at Tianyu's arrogance. "And how exactly do you plan to do that? You can barely carry a stick without tripping over your own feet."
"Details, details!" Long Tianyu waved a hand dismissively, puffing out his chest. "First, you survive my training, then you forge a sword worthy of me. You'll see. Everyone will see! Maybe even the mountains will bow when we walk past."
Xiao Chi, who had been quietly watching from the side with a cheeky grin, piped up, "Well, if you're making a sword, Xuanfeng, I want a spear. A long one! I want to be the first to poke a Golden-Winged Great Peng!''.
Long Tianyu laughed. "Ha! A spear? That's cute," he said with a dramatic scoff. ''Xiao Chi, why don't you pick up a young Shadowjade Bamboo and use that? Would be quite fitting with you!'' Long Tianyu glanced at Xiao Chi standing next to a young bamboo, the two looked remarkably alike. Xiao Chi glared back.
Hua Qingqing shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips, her calm voice cutting through their chatter. "You two are impossible," she murmured, though a faint blush colored her cheeks. "If you keep talking like this, the mountain might hear you and throw you down itself."
Long Tianyu laughed, slapping his thigh. "Ha! Let the mountain try! My sword will be faster than its rocks!"
The other children laughed, some rolling in the grass as they imitated dramatic sword poses, some swinging imaginary spears, others pretending to be mountains trembling at Long Tianyu's power.
Teacher Song Ming, standing a short distance away, let out a long sigh, muttering under his breath, "The boy will be trouble in the future." He rubbed his temples, though the corners of his mouth twitched upward in reluctant amusement. Deep down, he couldn't help but feel a spark of hope for Long Tianyu, and a little warmth at the life and chaos the boy brought everywhere.
Long Tianyu turned back to Nong Xuanfeng with a serious nod. And said ''Feng, you better not forget! I want an amazing sword!''.
Xiao Chi jumped in again. "Then what about my spear? It better shoot lightning too!"
"Of course," Nong Xuanfeng replied without hesitation. "It'll be the best spear the village, no, the entire world has ever seen.'' Long Tianyu chipped in and said ''Even the chickens in the village will salute it!"
The children erupted into laughter once more, the sound echoing across the mountain clearing. Hua Qingqing just shook her head, smiling softly at the boys' antics, though her attention never left the qi around her.
Long Tianyu turned to Hua Qingqing with a grin. "One day, you'll see. We'll be strong enough to play with the clouds, and nobody will dare stop us. Maybe we'll even teach the mountain a lesson or two!"
Hua Qingqing rolled her eyes, but a small laugh escaped her, the wind carrying it gently across the swaying grass.
The students continued practicing, each concentrating with furrowed brows and trembling hands, trying to sense the elusive qi swirling around them. Some squinted, others muttered softly, waving their arms in careful, deliberate motions. Yet, despite their best efforts, the energy slipped through their fingers like water, refusing to settle in their spiritual cores.
Long Tianyu and Hua Qingqing, in contrast, moved with a quiet ease, their faintly glowing cores a testament to the subtle flow of qi. Around them, the other children's attempts ended in frustration: some collapsed onto the grass in exasperation.
No one succeeded that day, but the laughter, sighs, and muttered curses painted the clearing with a lively atmosphere. Even in failure, the children's determination never wavered, though it was clear that the path to controlling qi was still beyond their grasp.
-
Soon the children's stomachs began to grumble in protest. Even the faintest exertion had drained their energy, and it was time for lunch. Hua Qingqing carefully unpacked her small bamboo lunchbox, revealing neatly wrapped portions of rice, vegetables, and dried fish.
A deep growl rumbled next to her.
Hua Qingqing laughed and looked at the red faced Long Tianyu.
The growl from Tianyu's belly, was loud enough that even the cicadas went quiet for a moment.
Xiao Chi burst out laughing. "Careful, Tianyu, if you're not full, the heavens might hear you begging for food instead of power!"
Before Tianyu could retort, Hua Qingqing sighed and pushed her lunch box into his hands. "You're hopeless. Eat before you ascend from hunger."
He grinned wide, mouth already full. "Mph, thank you, Qingqing! You'll be first to eat at my immortal banquet someday!" He had skipped breakfast in his rush, so he eagerly accepted, munching quickly as the wind rustled through the tall grass.
Long Tianyu closed his eyes dramatically, as if savoring the flavor for the first time in his life.
"Ah… Qingqing," he said, his voice rich with reverence, "this… this is divine! A taste so exquisite it could make the mountains bow and the rivers blush!"
Hua Qingqing tilted her head, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "You do realize," she said calmly, "I didn't make it. My father packed it this morning."
Long Tianyu froze mid-chew, eyes wide. "Wait… you mean… the old man made this?!"
"Yes," she said, folding her hands neatly.
Long Tianyu blinked, then slowly nodded, still chewing. "Tch…" Hua Shen always gave him trouble whenever he was around Hua Qingqing, disturbing his peace. He definitely did not want to start flattering the old man now.
-
Teacher Song Ming cleared his throat and motioned for the children to gather once more. His voice carried over the rustle of bamboo and the distant hum of cicadas.
"Remember," he began, pacing slowly before them, "the path of cultivation isn't just about drawing in qi or learning techniques. It's about understanding yourself, your place between heaven and earth."
The children sat cross-legged, eyes wide, though a few struggled to focus after their failed attempts. Long Tianyu, however, couldn't stop grinning, his entire body still buzzing from the faint warmth in his spiritual core.
Song Ming pointed to the trees lining the mountainside. "This world is filled with countless types of spiritual vegetation, some that heal, some that strengthen, others that can poison you. Learn to recognize them. One who doesn't respect nature will one day be punished by it."
He turned his gaze toward Long Tianyu, who straightened instantly."And most importantly never grow arrogant." Song Ming's tone sharpened. "The moment you think you're above others is the moment your heart becomes clouded. Pride has ruined greater men than you."
Long Tianyu nodded quickly, though his small smirk didn't entirely disappear.
"Carry yourself with humility," Song Ming continued, his expression softening again. "Help those in need, protect what's precious, and never forget where you came from. The heavens watch even the smallest acts of kindness."
The children murmured in agreement. Hua Qingqing sat silently, her gaze thoughtful. Xiao Chi fiddled with a bamboo stick, pretending to be a mighty spearman. Xiao Chi accidentally poked himself in the knee, earning a few chuckles from other children.
The rest of the day passed with them meditating, practicing, and occasionally sneaking glances at Long Tianyu and Hua Qingqing, as if hoping to understand what made them different. Yet, no matter how hard they tried, the others couldn't sense the faint threads of qi flowing around them. At least not yet. Some grew frustrated, others simply lay back on the grass, staring up at the drifting clouds.
By the time the sun began to dip behind the mountain peaks, Song Ming finally clapped his hands. "That's enough for today. Go home, rest your minds. The gods rewards patience, not haste."
The group rose, stretching sore limbs and brushing dirt from their clothes.
Long Tianyu, however, was too excited to stay still. His eyes gleamed as he looked toward the descending path. "Teacher Song! I really did it, didn't I?"
Song Ming sighed, but there was a faint smile in his beard. "You did well, Tianyu. But remember—this is only the first step. The road ahead is long and merciless."
"Yes, Teacher!" Long Tianyu said, barely containing his grin. He turned to Hua Qingqing, who only smiled faintly in return, her calm expression a quiet contrast to his boundless excitement. Hua Qingqing and Long Tianyu agreed on meeting by the village hall later.
As they began the descent, the warm afternoon wind rustled through the bamboo, carrying the scent of moss and sunlight. The children's chatter filled the air, laughter echoing off the stone walls of the valley.
Long Tianyu skipped ahead, practically bouncing down the path. His heart raced not from exhaustion but from joy. For the first time, he had touched something greater than himself—something vast and unseen.
He couldn't wait to tell his parents. The thought of surprising his mother and father made him happy.
As the shadows lengthened and the mountain began to hum with the songs of evening insects, Long Tianyu ran the rest of the way down, his laughter carried by the wind, a mortal boy dreaming of immortal skies.
-
End of chapter 5 - Footsteps Toward Immortality