Li Xuan walked slowly through the quiet path leading back to the outer disciple dorms. The rain had softened to a gentle drizzle now, but every drop felt cold on his already shivering body.
His legs ached with each step, but he kept moving.He didn't want anyone to see him lying on the ground again.
The Twilight Ember Sect at night was quiet.Too quiet.
Most disciples were still training in the night halls. The more talented ones used night time to absorb Qi from the mountain springs. Li Xuan, however, always walked these empty paths alone.
Because no one wanted him near.
The wooden dorm door creaked slightly as he pushed it open. The building smelled of damp wood and old dust. The outer disciples' rooms were arranged in rows, but his room was at the very end of the hallway—the smallest, darkest one.
He stepped inside.
The door clicked shut behind him.
Inside, the room was plain: one wooden bed with a rough blanket, a small table that leaned to one side, and a single cracked window that let rainwater drip down the wall.
It wasn't much, but it was still better than being outside.
Li Xuan sat on the bed carefully. His entire body screamed in protest. His knees were swollen, and his arms were covered in bruises. Even breathing made his ribs sting.
"You are injured more than I thought," the Grand Immortal's voice said calmly.
Li Xuan sighed. "I'm used to it."
—That is not something to be proud of, the Immortal replied. A cultivator must respect his own body.
Li Xuan lowered his head. The words felt strange to hear. No one ever said things like that to him.
"Is there a way to heal faster?" he asked.
—For now, no. You don't have Qi control yet. But your condition will improve once your meridians open.
Li Xuan nodded weakly.
He pulled off his wet robe and replaced it with a dry one. The dry cloth felt warm against his cold skin. The bruises looked worse in the lamp light—dark purple, spreading like spilled ink.
He touched one lightly and winced.
—Sit. We will continue with breathing practice, the Immortal instructed.
Li Xuan straightened his back and crossed his legs on the bed.
"Will this help me heal?"
—Everything begins with Qi. When your dantian can hold even a little energy, your body will recover much faster.
Li Xuan closed his eyes and started to breathe slowly.The coldness inside his stomach still felt like a heavy knot, but now there was a thin crack running through it. The warmth from earlier was faint, like a candle flame about to go out.
—Guide it again, the Immortal said.
Li Xuan focused. The warmth moved slightly, pushing against the blockage.
Crack.
Another small sound inside his mind.Li Xuan's eyes shot open.
"I did it again."
—Good. Do not stop. Continue.
He closed his eyes once more, pushing the warmth a third time.
Crack.
A bigger piece of the blockage broke.
Suddenly, a wave of numbness rushed through his body. His arms felt heavy, and his head felt light.
He swayed slightly.
"Is this normal?"
—Yes. You are touching Qi for the first time. Your body is adjusting.—But stop here. If you push further, you may faint.
Li Xuan took a deep breath and opened his eyes.
For the first time in his life, he felt something flowing faintly inside him.Not much, just a tiny thread of energy…
But it was his.
A real breakthrough.
A small smile appeared on his tired face. It felt strange—he hadn't smiled in a long time.
Outside the cracked window, the rain finally came to a stop. The night became quiet again.
Li Xuan lay down slowly on the bed. His body hurt too much to stay upright.
"Grand Immortal… what should I do tomorrow?"
—Tomorrow? The voice paused. Act normal. Pretend nothing changed.—Train secretly. Grow silently.—If people notice you improving, trouble will come quickly.
Li Xuan nodded. That made sense.
As he closed his eyes, the pain in his body settled into a dull ache. But under that pain, he felt something new—something warm, something alive.
Hope.
—Sleep, the Immortal said quietly. You will need strength for the future.
For the first time in months, Li Xuan fell asleep without crying or shaking.His small chest rose and fell slowly.
And deep inside him, the cracked blockage continued to loosen… preparing for the day the world would see who he truly was.