9 Taking The First Step Towards the Future

"Ha!... Haa!"

In the open courtyard, I practiced the set of fists given out by my Dad. I was fumbling through the technique as its exquisite flavor could not be seen.

"How did Dad do it?

I closed my eyes as I tried to remember the set of fists Dad performed. I recalled each movement and its feeling and slowly moved in accordance to memory. At first, it was awkward, but it soon gradually became smooth. As my fists danced around in the air waves of power surged throughout my body. Slowly, everything converged on my right fist. I gently punched forward exploding the power gathered at the end.

"Whew. I finally did it. Not as good as Dad's but it's good enough for now."

I made fists and excitement flushed on my face. So this was what a cultivator is. Reveling in my newfound strength, I slowly relaxed my body as I released my breath calming mind. According to the book, the Preying Tiger's Fist had variances according to the circulation of internal energy. As I hadn't start cultivating heavenly energy yet, I could only do its form.

"The way to cultivate heavenly energy..."

I sat down as I touched upon the memory of Uncle teaching the way of cultivating energy.

"Listen well lil' one. The energy that are gathered in our surrounding can be generally called Heavenly Energy. Once it is pulled and stored within the body it is called Internal Energy. We cultivators use the energy we gather inside our bodies to strengthen our bodies and perform feats normal humans can't do."

"Hmm? Uncle, how did you do produce that ball of fire from before? It wasn't a feat created by just strengthening the body."

"You have sharp eyes lil' one. You see, when you get stronger, you'll have the ability to manipulate your internal energy to reproduce the various elements around us."

"I see. So even I can create fire from their hands when I get stronger."

"Mm. Not just fire. You can create any element you desire. You may bring out a ball of water or even gather lightning to strike down your foes. Anyways, we are getting sidetracked. Let's get back to the topic at hand. To cultivate heavenly energy, you must be one with core. Connect your psyche with your core and..."

"...will it to gather the energy around the body. Once pulled inside, circulate the energy through the meridians and finally pass it through the core refining the energy as your own. When one gathers enough energy to form a pellet, a cultivator could be considered have taken their first step into the cultivation world."

I muttered those words as I circulated the energy inside my body. With each circulation, the energy gets more refined as I felt more familiar towards it. Unlike heavenly energy, this one was mine and it was something I could control. Gradually, the clumps of energy formed turning into small orb gently floating inside the core. I opened my eyes and breathed out.

"As of today, I have taken my first step into the cultivation world."