The dueling platform was a simple square of packed earth, worn smooth by countless battles. A low wooden fence marked its boundaries, more for show than actual containment. Around it, the disciples of the Azure Cloud Sect had gathered, a sea of blue robes rippling in the morning breeze.
Jian Li stood opposite Elder Bai Feng, the elder's face a mask of barely controlled fury. The air crackled with the elder's spiritual energy, a tangible pressure that made the younger disciples shift uneasily. Bai Feng's hands were held in a classic sword-drawing stance, his knuckles white.
"Jian Li," Bai Feng's voice was tight, controlled. "I will give you one last chance to yield. This…this nonsense you've been spouting is an insult to the Azure Cloud Sect and its traditions."
Jian Li scratched the back of his head, a habitual gesture that only seemed to infuriate Bai Feng further. "With all due respect, Elder Bai Feng, I'm just trying to find a more…efficient way."
"Efficient?" Bai Feng spat the word like venom. "Cultivation is not about efficiency! It is about discipline, perseverance, and unwavering dedication! You think you can shortcut your way to power by…sleeping?"
A ripple of laughter went through the crowd, quickly stifled by glares from Bai Feng's supporters.
"I wouldn't call it sleeping, exactly," Jian Li mumbled, shifting his weight. "More like…spiritual resonance."
Bai Feng roared, the sound echoing across the training grounds. He exploded forward, his sword a blur of motion. The attack was textbook Azure Cloud Sword Style – precise, powerful, and relentless. Each strike aimed to overwhelm and break the opponent's defenses.
Jian Li, however, didn't meet the attack head-on. Instead, he swayed, almost lazily, stepping just outside the path of Bai Feng's blade. It was like watching a leaf caught in a whirlwind, somehow managing to avoid being torn apart.
Bai Feng's first strike whistled past Jian Li's ear, close enough to ruffle his hair. The second aimed for his shoulder, but Jian Li simply leaned back, the blade slicing harmlessly through the air. The third, a thrust towards his chest, was met with a gentle sidestep, leaving Bai Feng momentarily off balance.
The crowd murmured in disbelief. Jian Li, the sect's laughingstock, was actually dodging Elder Bai Feng's attacks.
Bai Feng, his face flushed with exertion and anger, pressed his assault. He channeled more spiritual energy into his sword, the blade humming with power. His attacks became faster, more furious, each strike carrying the weight of years of training.
But Jian Li remained elusive. He didn't block, didn't parry, didn't even seem to exert himself. He simply flowed around Bai Feng's attacks, guiding the elder's energy away from himself. It was like watching water flow around a rock, the rock remaining untouched by the current.
He was using the principles the eccentric herbalist had explained, the ancient texts had hinted at. Feeling the flow of energy, not just his own, but the energy of the world around him. And using that flow to his advantage. It wasn't about brute force, but about harmony.
A bead of sweat trickled down Bai Feng's temple. He was starting to tire, his movements losing some of their crispness. He couldn't understand it. He was pouring everything he had into this fight, yet Jian Li remained unscathed.
"Enough!" Bai Feng roared, leaping back. He sheathed his sword and adopted a different stance, his hands forming a complex series of seals. The air around him shimmered, the spiritual energy coalescing into a visible aura.
"I will show you the true power of the Azure Cloud Sect!" Bai Feng declared. "I will show you the futility of your…slothful ways!"
He unleashed his technique. It was a powerful offensive art, one that focused and amplified spiritual energy into a concentrated blast. A wave of force erupted from Bai Feng, slamming into Jian Li like a physical blow.
The crowd gasped, expecting to see Jian Li sent flying. But instead, something strange happened.
Jian Li didn't brace for impact. He didn't try to block or deflect the attack. Instead, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and…relaxed.
He focused on the feeling of the energy washing over him, not resisting it, but accepting it. He imagined himself as a reed in the wind, bending with the force of the storm, but never breaking.
And then, he subtly shifted his stance, aligning himself with the flow of energy. He didn't negate the attack, but redirected it, guiding it around him and towards the ground.
The wave of energy slammed into the dueling platform, sending a cloud of dust billowing into the air. When the dust settled, Jian Li was still standing, untouched.
Bai Feng stared in disbelief. His most powerful technique, the one he had spent years perfecting, had been completely neutralized. By…sleeping?
Jian Li opened his eyes, a faint smile on his face. "That was…invigorating," he said.
Bai Feng's control finally snapped. He charged at Jian Li, his hands clenched into fists, abandoning all pretense of technique. He was going to beat this upstart into the ground.
But Jian Li simply sidestepped again, grabbing Bai Feng's arm as he went past. He didn't punch, didn't kick, didn't even use any force. He simply used Bai Feng's own momentum against him, gently guiding him in a circle until he was facing the opposite direction.
Then, Jian Li gave him a small push. Bai Feng stumbled forward, losing his balance, and fell to the ground in an unceremonious heap.
Silence descended upon the training grounds. The disciples stared, mouths agape. Elder Bai Feng, one of the most respected members of the Azure Cloud Sect, had been defeated. By Jian Li. By…sleeping.
Jian Li walked over to Bai Feng and offered him a hand. "Are you alright, Elder?"
Bai Feng glared at Jian Li, then slowly accepted his hand. Jian Li helped him to his feet.
"I…I don't understand," Bai Feng said, his voice shaking. "How…how did you do that?"
Jian Li shrugged. "I just tried to go with the flow."
Bai Feng shook his head, bewildered. He looked out at the crowd of disciples, their faces a mixture of shock and awe. He knew that his reputation had been shattered. But he also knew that he had witnessed something truly extraordinary.
He sighed. "I yield," he said, the words tasting like ash in his mouth.
A collective gasp went through the crowd, followed by a hesitant round of applause. Jian Li had won.
[System Notification: Reputation with Azure Cloud Sect Increased!]
[System Notification: New Skill Acquired: Harmonious Flow (Passive)]
[Harmonious Flow (Passive): Increases energy efficiency and allows for redirection of external forces.]
Jian Li bowed to Bai Feng, then turned to face the crowd. He knew that this victory was just the beginning. He still had a lot to learn, a lot to prove. But for now, he allowed himself a small smile. He had shown them that there was more than one way to cultivate, more than one way to reach enlightenment. And maybe, just maybe, he could help them find their own path.
This is the story's beginning.