Li Yuan closed his eyes.
The silence around him was like the surface of a lake untouched by wind.
He sat cross-legged on a damp stone,
surrounded by the rustle of leaves, birdsong,
and the gentle breath of wind—
as if nature itself did not wish to disturb him.
Water
that was his first understanding.
Since childhood, back in the village of Ziran,
he often played by a small, clear river.
That water touched his skin, washed over his feet,
cleansed his face.
But back then, he only thought of water as something ordinary—
not as understanding.
But now, after countless experiences, silences, and reflections,
Li Yuan understood—
water is not just a flowing substance,
but a presence that holds the secrets of the world.
"Water does not resist, does not oppose.
Yet it wears down stone."
He began to go deeper.
In the silence of steady breath,
his awareness penetrated the inner realm.
There, water was not just a physical form,
but a meaning.
The understanding of water surfaced like a soft ripple
upon the surface of his consciousness.
Water was calm, but not dead.
It flowed, but never rushed.
It could be soft like mist,
or fierce like a storm.
It embraced every shape,
yet never lost its own nature.
"Water is patience."
Li Yuan felt a shift within himself.
The inner world of his body,
where understanding resides,
began to tremble gently.
Within that inner space,
the water he once knew began to take form.
Not real water,
but the essence of water.
A form without form
a reflection of the outer world,
grasped by the deepest part of his awareness.
That water appeared within him
and breathed with him.
"I'm not using Qi,
I'm not using energy…
So why does my body feel so light?"
Because understanding is a path.
And when understanding becomes part of breath and step,
it is stronger than any energy.
Li Yuan saw his inner being merge with that water.
There was no spiraling Qi
like in traditional cultivation.
But it was as if every cell in his body
flowed in harmony with the law of water.
Even his movements became like a river
effortless, unforced.
"This is not a technique.
This is not a form.
This… is me."
From this realization,
something began to take shape inside him
an invisible current,
flowing between his thoughts,
his feelings,
and his breath.
Water taught him gentleness,
flexibility,
and perseverance.
"Water never rushes, but it always reaches its destination."
He recalled the rain.
Rain never chooses where to fall.
It blesses all equally.
It makes no distinction between stone and soil,
between grass and steel.
That is the sincerity of water.
Li Yuan slowly opened his eyes.
Eyes that once seemed ordinary
now held depth—
like a lake reflecting the sky.
"I understand now why this was my first insight…"
Since childhood, he never realized
that water had shaped his way of thinking.
He wasn't quick to anger.
He didn't fight the current.
He chose to be still, and to learn.
Now he knew—
that was the way of water.
And this time,
as the understanding reached completion,
a breakthrough occurred.
Not an explosion of power.
Not a storm of light
like in the usual cultivation tales.
But a quiet vibration.
His body changed subtly.
Not physically stronger,
but more aligned.
His breath became one with his surroundings.
His movements light,
yet full of meaning.
His steps left no trace
but imprinted themselves
on the hearts of those attuned to stillness.
Inside his inner world,
a tranquil river had formed.
Not just a symbol
but a vessel of truth and realization.
"If the world is fire,
then I shall become water.
If the world demands,
I will flow."
Li Yuan stood.
Beneath the clear sky,
he lifted his hand and felt the morning dew.
A single droplet fell to the ground.
It looked insignificant.
But to Li Yuan,
it was a lesson without words.
"Water makes no sound
yet it carves valleys."
He smiled softly.
He knew,
his path was still long.
But now he had an unshakable foundation
his first true insight.
He would not forget water.
Because that was where it all began.
From gentleness, strength is born.
From acceptance, freedom.
And from understanding…
emerges a path of cultivation without Qi.
This path shall be called...
Author's Note:
In this world, there is no "Qi" yet.
And I will reveal the reason much, much later.
This is still a cultivation story—but unlike any other before it.
It is truly fresh, and when I compare it to conventional Qi-based systems,
this one feels far stronger, deeper, and more transformative.
Qi is commonly used as a "power resource."
But this—this is something else entirely.
I will reveal more in later chapters—perhaps far later.
And yes, I know the plot structure may feel rushed right now,
with conflict still waiting to unfold,
because I'm filled with so many overwhelming thoughts and emotions.
But I want to share and discuss with others.
So if you're reading this, and you feel inspired or curious,
please share your thoughts or even ideas.
Let's build this together.
—
Discord:
https://discord.com/invite/t7aysVWz