Dawn broke, casting faint light across the dense forest. The first rays of the sun slithered through the trees, cutting through the lingering shadows like blades. Wei Shuren sat by the dying embers of the campfire, his body aching from the trials of the previous day. He hadn’t slept—his mind wouldn’t allow it. The images of his village burning, his parents’ lifeless faces, and the horrors of the attack haunted him, swirling endlessly.

  Meilin stood several feet away, arms crossed as she looked out into the forest. Her hood was pulled down for the first time since they met, revealing her sharp features. She was striking, with piercing eyes that seemed to see into Wei’s very soul. Her expression was as unreadable as ever.

  Without turning, she spoke. “We start today.”

  Wei blinked, his hands still clutching his father’s broken sword. His grip tightened as he slowly rose to his feet, his legs shaky but determined. “What’s the first step?” he asked, his voice thick with exhaustion.

  Meilin didn’t immediately answer. Instead, she turned to face him, her eyes scanning him from head to toe. “You’re weak. Right now, you wouldn’t last a day against the Fallen Night Sect or any sect for that matter.” Her tone was harsh, unforgiving. “But that can change.”

  Wei’s jaw tightened. He hated the feeling of weakness that clung to him, the helplessness that had defined him ever since the attack. “I want to get stronger,” he said, the words coming out like a vow.

  Meilin’s lips curled into a faint, almost mocking smile. “Words won’t be enough. You’ll need more than just desire.” She turned and began to walk deeper into the forest. “Follow me.”

  Wei sheathed his broken sword and hurried after her, his legs still sore from the journey. As they walked, the trees grew denser, the air colder, until they came upon a small clearing with a stream running through it. The water glistened in the morning light, a stark contrast to the dark memories still plaguing Wei’s mind.

  Meilin stopped at the edge of the stream, gesturing to it. “Your first task is simple: cross the stream.”

  Wei frowned, staring at the narrow stretch of water. It didn’t seem difficult—no more than a few paces wide, with stepping stones scattered across the surface. “That’s it?” he asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.

  Meilin’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “That’s it.”

  Wei didn’t trust her. It felt like a test, but he wasn’t sure what kind. Still, he couldn’t afford to hesitate. Steeling himself, he stepped toward the stream, his foot landing on the first stone. It wobbled slightly, but he managed to keep his balance. He took another step, then another, until he was halfway across.

  The stream was calm, the water cool and clear. It seemed too easy.

  Then, suddenly, the stones beneath his feet shifted violently. Wei’s eyes widened in shock as he lost his footing and plunged into the icy water. The cold hit him like a slap, knocking the breath from his lungs as he struggled to regain his balance. He splashed and thrashed, trying to pull himself up, but the stones beneath him continued to shift unpredictably.

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  “What—what is this?!” Wei shouted, spitting out water.

  Meilin’s voice was calm, almost amused. “The stones are enchanted. If you don’t control your energy and focus your breathing, they’ll throw you off balance.”

  Wei sputtered, struggling to stand. “You never said anything about controlling energy!”

  Meilin shrugged. “Did you think strength is all about brute force? The martial path requires precision, focus, and control. If you can’t even handle a simple stream, how do you expect to fight an enemy who can manipulate the very air around you?”

  Wei gritted his teeth, his body trembling from the cold. His mind raced, trying to make sense of what she was saying. Energy… control… his father had mentioned these things once, but Wei had never paid much attention. His father’s teachings had been more about physical strength and technique, not about the invisible flow of energy within.

  But now, he realized, there was more to the martial world than he had ever known.

  Taking a deep breath, Wei closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down. He focused on the sensation of the water around him, the faint vibrations of the shifting stones beneath his feet. Slowly, he steadied his breathing, concentrating on the flow of energy within his body—just as his father had once shown him.

  At first, it was difficult. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions—grief, anger, frustration. But gradually, he felt something—a faint spark, a flicker of warmth in his chest. It was weak, but it was there.

  With newfound determination, Wei planted his feet on the stones and stood. This time, they didn’t shift. The water around him was still, calm. He took another step, then another, until he reached the opposite bank.

  Panting, soaked to the bone, Wei looked up at Meilin, who stood watching him with an unreadable expression.

  “Not bad,” she said, though there was no warmth in her voice. “You’re learning.”

  Wei collapsed to the ground, his body trembling with exhaustion. “That… was only the first step?”

  Meilin nodded. “You’ll need much more than that to survive in the martial world. But for now, you’ve taken the first step toward controlling your energy. Tomorrow, we’ll continue.”

  Wei’s heart pounded in his chest, but despite his exhaustion, a small spark of hope flickered within him. It wasn’t much, but it was something. He had crossed the stream. He had begun to tap into the power within him.

  As the sun climbed higher into the sky, Wei lay on the grass, staring up at the clouds. His body was sore, his mind still swirling with thoughts of vengeance, but for the first time since the attack, he felt a sliver of something he hadn’t expected to feel again.

  A flicker of strength. A faint, but growing hope.

  Later that night, as they sat by the fire once again, Wei couldn’t help but glance at Meilin. She was an enigma, cold and distant, but there was something about her—something more than just the harsh exterior she presented.

  “Why did you help me?” he asked, the question slipping out before he could stop himself.

  Meilin’s gaze remained on the fire, her face illuminated by the flickering flames. For a moment, it seemed like she wasn’t going to answer. But then, her voice broke the silence.

  “I told you before. You remind me of someone.”

  Wei frowned. “Who?”

  Meilin’s eyes darkened, her expression turning somber. “Someone I failed to protect.”

  The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of untold stories. Wei didn’t press her further. He knew that she, like him, carried scars that weren’t visible on the surface.

  As the fire crackled and the night deepened, Wei felt a sense of resolve settling in his chest. He didn’t know what lay ahead, or how long it would take to get stronger. But with Meilin’s guidance, he would face whatever trials came his way.

  He had no choice.