vstars Chapter 15 The Art of Spirit Control
Chapter 15 The Art of Spirit Control
I excitedly gripped the glowing spirit-gathering stone, almost unable to believe I had actually done it. Uncle-Master Zhou's praise further boosted my confidence, filling me with anticipation for the cultivation ahead.
“If you want to go further on the path of cultivation, simply absorbing spiritual energy is not enough,” Uncle Zhou said, his smile fading and his expression turning serious. “You also need to learn how to precisely control it.”
He led me to a burly middle-aged man. "This is Instructor Zheng, who is in charge of teaching new disciples how to control spiritual power."
Instructor Zheng nodded at me and said in a gruff voice, "Come with me."
We arrived at an open space. Instructor Zheng picked up a twig and drew a simple circle on the ground. "Try to inject your spiritual power into the circle. Remember, do it evenly and without interruption."
This sounds simple, but I soon discovered that it was far more difficult to do in practice than I had imagined. My spiritual energy was like a wild horse, never flowing as I wished. The spiritual energy injected into the circle was sometimes strong, sometimes weak, flickering and impossible to maintain a stable flow.
"Concentrate!" Instructor Zheng shouted sternly. "Don't overthink it, just focus on feeling the flow of spiritual energy!"
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I closed my eyes and imagined a warm current flowing from my dantian (lower abdomen) slowly through my limbs and bones. I guided this current, carefully channeling it into the circle.
This time, the flow of spiritual energy was much smoother, and the circle gradually brightened. But just when I thought I was about to succeed, the spiritual energy suddenly went out of control, bursting out of the circle and blasting a charred crater in the ground.
"It's still not working," Coach Zheng shook his head. "Your control is too poor. Go back and practice more."
I lowered my head in frustration, feeling utterly defeated. For the next few days, I practiced controlling my spiritual energy over and over again, but made little progress. Seeing that other new disciples had already mastered the basic control techniques, I began to doubt whether I truly lacked the talent for cultivation.
"Don't be discouraged," Zhao Ling'er said, handing me a cup of tea during the break. "Controlling spiritual power takes time to learn; you can't rush it."
I forced a smile. "But I've been practicing for several days now, and I haven't made any progress at all."
Zhao Ling'er smiled mysteriously, "Actually, I have a secret..."
Zhao Ling'er pulled me to sit under the shade of a tree and took out a thin booklet from her bosom. "This is something I secretly copied from the library. It contains some mental techniques and formulas for controlling spiritual power. Take it back and study it carefully."
I looked at her in surprise, "Ling'er, how could you..."
"Oh, don't worry," Zhao Ling'er interrupted me with a smile, "The contents of this booklet aren't exactly secrets, it's just that the library isn't a place for new disciples, so I..."
I was deeply moved and clutched the booklet tightly. "Ling'er, thank you!"
"No need to thank me, we're friends!" Zhao Ling'er laughed heartily. "Besides, if you don't improve, Instructor Zheng might kick you off the mountain."
She made me laugh, and the gloom in my heart dissipated considerably. For the next few days, I practiced with Instructor Zheng during the day and spent my evenings studying the booklet Zhao Ling'er had given me in my room. I finally understood that controlling spiritual power wasn't just about brute force; it required precise manipulation and a keen awareness of one's own spiritual energy.
Zhao Ling'er would often come to my room, and we would discuss the contents of the book together and exchange our thoughts and experiences. She would also patiently explain some techniques based on the problems I encountered during practice.
“Look, controlling spiritual power is like manipulating water,” Zhao Ling’er explained, gesturing as she spoke. “You have to learn how to guide it, not force it.”
With Zhao Ling'er's help, I gradually mastered some techniques and began to achieve some small successes in my practice. I could feel that my spiritual power was no longer as violent as before, but had become more docile and obedient.
"Not bad, Yao Yao, it seems you've made great progress lately!" Zhao Ling'er said happily as she watched me gradually gain control of the spiritual energy in the circle.
I smiled and continued to focus on my practice. Suddenly, I sensed a powerful fluctuation of spiritual energy coming from afar…
I sensed a powerful fluctuation of spiritual energy coming from afar. Turning my head, I saw Instructor Zheng leading several disciples toward us. My heart tightened. Had something gone wrong during my practice?
Coach Zheng walked up to me with an enigmatic smile on his face. "Xiao Yao, it seems your recent hard work has paid off."
I asked somewhat nervously, "Instructor Zheng, what's wrong...?"
“Starting today, you no longer need to practice alone,” Coach Zheng said calmly. “Come with me to participate in combat training.”
Real combat training?! I was shocked. It had only been a little over ten days, and I hadn't even fully mastered the most basic control of spiritual energy. Was I really going to participate in real combat training?
Seemingly sensing my worry, Coach Zheng patted my shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll arrange for you to spar with disciples of similar skill levels, mainly to test your learning progress over this period."
I took a deep breath. Coach Zheng spoke casually, but I knew in my heart that actual combat training was definitely not that simple.
Upon arriving at the training ground, I saw many disciples sparring. They were agile, their spiritual energy flowing freely, and their moves were full of power and skill. Compared to them, I was like a clumsy and powerless little rabbit.
"Xiao Yao, this is Senior Brother Li, a disciple who has been studying for a year. He will be your opponent today," Instructor Zheng said, pointing to a lean male disciple.
Senior Brother Li smiled slightly at me, cupped his hands and said, "Junior Sister, please give me your guidance."
I clenched my fists nervously and returned the greeting with a cupped hand, just like him.
The sparring began, but Senior Brother Li didn't rush to attack. Instead, he carefully observed my movements, seemingly searching for my weaknesses. I dared not make any rash moves either, and could only concentrate my mind, mobilize all the spiritual energy in my body, and prepare to meet his attack.
"Drink!" Senior Brother Li suddenly shouted, his figure pouncing towards me like a cheetah, while a sharp spiritual energy attack aimed straight at my face.
I was prepared and dodged the attack by sidestepping, while simultaneously channeling my spiritual energy to form a barrier in front of me, blocking his subsequent attacks. Although Senior Brother Li's attacks were swift, I noticed that his control over his spiritual energy was not precise, and many of his attacks were wasted in empty space.
I seized the opportunity, mobilized the little spiritual power I had, compressed it into a thin beam of light, and shot it toward Senior Brother Li's chest.
"What?!" Senior Brother Li was clearly not expected me to make such a move. He hurriedly dodged, but was still hit in the shoulder by the beam of light.
I was overjoyed and pressed my advantage, once again mobilizing my spiritual power to prepare for an attack.
"That's enough." Coach Zheng's voice suddenly rang out, and I quickly withdrew my attack, looking at him in confusion.
"Xiao Yao wins this sparring match," Coach Zheng announced, his tone tinged with admiration.
I was stunned for a moment before I realized that I had really won!
“Although your spiritual power is still weak, you know how to use skills to make up for your shortcomings,” Coach Zheng walked up to me and said earnestly, “Remember, in actual combat, skills and strategies are often more important than brute force.”
I nodded seriously, keeping Coach Zheng's words firmly in mind.
“Tomorrow, I will arrange a match for you against an intermediate disciple,” Coach Zheng gave me a meaningful look. “I hope you can perform just as well then.”
My heart sank suddenly...
Instructor Zheng's words made my heart tighten. Intermediate disciples? Those were disciples who had cultivated for at least three years; their spiritual energy reserves and combat experience far surpassed Senior Brother Li's. I took a deep breath, suppressing my unease. No matter what, I had to fight with all my might!
The next day, I arrived at the training ground early. The atmosphere was noticeably more tense than the day before, with many disciples gathered together, whispering about today's matches.
"I heard that Xiao Yao is fighting Senior Brother Wang today. He is one of the best among the intermediate disciples and has already reached the late stage of Qi Refining."
"Yes, I heard that Senior Brother Wang has excellent control over spiritual power. He once defeated three opponents of the same level by fighting them alone."
"Although Xiao Yao defeated Senior Brother Li yesterday, she has only been a disciple for a short time, and her spiritual energy reserves and combat experience are far from sufficient. This time, she is probably in grave danger."
Listening to the whispers around me, my heart grew heavier and heavier. Senior Brother Wang was even stronger than I had imagined; I had almost no chance of winning this battle.
"Xiao Yao, are you ready?" Coach Zheng's voice interrupted my thoughts.
I looked up and saw that Senior Brother Wang was already standing opposite me. He was tall, with sharp eyes, and exuded a powerful aura.
I took a deep breath, forced myself to calm down, and bowed to Senior Brother Wang, saying, "Senior Brother Wang, please give me your guidance."
Senior Brother Wang nodded slightly in response. The next moment, he flashed and appeared in front of me instantly, so fast that I had no time to react.
"So fast!" I was startled and quickly mobilized my spiritual power to form a barrier in front of me.
"Bang!" Senior Brother Wang's attack struck my barrier heavily, and the powerful force knocked me back several steps.
I steadied myself and looked up at Senior Brother Wang, my eyes filled with seriousness. Senior Brother Wang's strength was indeed formidable; with just one strike, he had made me feel immense pressure.
"Junior sister, be careful, I'm getting serious," Senior Brother Wang said calmly, his tone completely unwavering.
No sooner had he finished speaking than Senior Brother Wang launched another attack. This time, his attacks were even faster and more deadly, clearly indicating his intention to end the battle quickly.
I dared not be careless in the slightest, and focused my mind to deal with it with all my might. Every attack from Senior Brother Wang contained great power, and I could only barely resist by relying on my agile movements and exquisite spiritual power control skills.
Time passed second by second, and my spiritual energy was being depleted more and more, and my breathing began to become rapid. In contrast, Senior Brother Wang remained calm and composed, handling the situation with ease.
"At this rate, I'm doomed to defeat," I thought to myself. I had to find a way to turn the tide.
While dodging Senior Brother Wang's attacks, I racked my brains for a solution. Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed into my mind.
"I'll fight!" A resolute glint flashed in my eyes. I stopped playing defensively and launched an attack.
"What?!" Senior Brother Wang was clearly not expected me to suddenly retaliate, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
I mobilized the last of my spiritual power, compressing it into beams of light that shot towards Senior Brother Wang like a rain of pear blossoms.
Although Senior Brother Wang is very strong, my attack speed is too fast and the angle is tricky, making it impossible for him to defend against.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!" The beams of light kept hitting Senior Brother Wang's body, making muffled sounds.
"Damn it!" Senior Brother Wang roared, finally getting serious. He mobilized all his spiritual power, forming a powerful protective shield around his body to block my attack.
My heart sank, knowing that my attacks were no longer effective against Senior Brother Wang.
"Xiao Yao, your spiritual power control skills are indeed good, but your spiritual power is too weak and cannot pose any threat to me at all," Senior Brother Wang said calmly, with a hint of disappointment in his tone.
I took a deep breath, knowing that I had done my best.
"I concede defeat in this battle," I said, bowing to Senior Brother Wang.
Senior Brother Wang nodded slightly and was about to speak when suddenly, Instructor Zheng's voice rang out.
“Wait a minute,” Coach Zheng walked up to us, his gaze sweeping back and forth between me and Senior Brother Wang. “This match is a draw.”
A draw? I was stunned, hardly believing my ears.
The surrounding disciples were also in an uproar, clearly very surprised by the result.
"Instructor Zheng, this..." Senior Brother Wang also frowned, as if he wanted to say something.
“I know what you’re trying to say,” Instructor Zheng waved his hand, interrupting Senior Brother Wang. “Although Xiao Yao’s spiritual power is weak, she knows how to use techniques to make up for her shortcomings, and she has a strong fighting spirit, which are all very valuable qualities.”
Coach Zheng paused, then turned to me with a hint of admiration in his eyes, "Xiao Yao, you performed exceptionally well today. I have high hopes for you."
My heart warmed; Coach Zheng's affirmation was a tremendous encouragement to me.
"Alright, that's all for today's training," Coach Zheng patted my shoulder and said meaningfully, "Go back and get some rest, tomorrow..."
Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by an old voice.
"Instructor Zheng, I have something to discuss with you." An old man in a gray robe walked slowly over, his gaze falling on me, a barely perceptible glint in his eyes.