Seclusion

Back in the solitude of his cave dwelling, Bai Jian settled into the familiar stillness of seclusion, his mind attuned to the powerful pulse of qi flowing through his core. 

He took a deep breath, centering himself. The Heaven-Shattering Fist was a technique that had already shown glimpses of its destructive potential, yet he knew he had only scratched its surface. With Initial Mastery, each strike carried power, but to truly harness the depth of this technique, he would need to reach Profound Mastery.

Closing his eyes, he visualized the flow of qi through his meridians, channeling energy toward his fists. With each breath, he visualized his fist striking with the force of a thunderous impact, sending shockwaves rippling outward, a force capable of breaking mountains. 

Hours became days as he repeated the technique, refining his movements, feeling the subtle adjustments that brought each strike closer to perfection. Slowly, he noticed a difference — his strikes carried a heavier weight, the air itself rippling as he practiced, the shockwaves beginning to extend beyond the immediate reach of his fists.

"Profound Mastery isn't just strength; it's refinement," he thought, concentrating on the power building in his fists. 

He could feel his qi responding, flowing in rhythm with each strike. His form was smoother now, every muscle aligning with his intent, his fists becoming conduits of devastating energy.

After hours of training, he felt the surge of energy peak, a force unlike anything he'd wielded before. He executed a final strike, his fist crashing forward, the impact sending a powerful shockwave across the cave, stirring dust and loose stones in its wake. 

He exhaled, feeling the depth of control he'd gained over the Heaven-Shattering Fist. After the mission in the Yinwu Forest on top of the training now, he finally reached Profound Mastery with the Heaven-Shattering Fist. It was no longer raw strength — it was concentrated, devastating power.

During these sessions, Bai Jian also turned his attention to the White Mist Step. Its evasive nature had proven invaluable in his recent encounters, but he needed more precision, more fluidity. He began by closing his eyes, honing his awareness of the qi within and around him. With each step, he focused on becoming lighter, letting his qi flow with each movement, mimicking the weightlessness of mist.

Over time, his steps became less forced, his qi moving effortlessly, adapting to his intent. He practiced moving in silence, the faintest whisper of air trailing in his wake as he shifted from stance to stance, until his movements seemed to glide, leaving no trace behind.

Days passed in this dedicated cycle, his body and mind reaching a new level of unity with each technique. In the quiet of his seclusion, Bai Jian felt himself growing not just stronger, but more in control of his body. He could control his strength and adjust it as needed now.

….

As Bai Jian stepped out of his cave, he was surprised to see a familiar figure hurrying toward him with an excited grin. It was Wang Shao, looking as energetic as ever. His round face was flushed with excitement, and he wore a look that suggested he'd been waiting for this moment.

"Bai Jian!" Wang Shao called out, waving. As he neared, he glanced at Bai Jian with a slightly surprised expression.

 "You feel different. Been training in seclusion, haven't you?"

Bai Jian smiled, nodding. "Something like that. And I assume you're up to something too?"

Wang Shao chuckled, eyes alight with excitement. "You guessed it. I actually just got back from a meeting with the City Lord of Luan City — you know, that city to the west, just a day's travel from here. He's asked the sect for assistance with a rather… intriguing mission."

Bai Jian's interest piqued. "What kind of mission?"

Wang Shao leaned in, his voice lowering conspiratorially. "An exploration. The City Lord has found an ancient ruin near Luan City, something that hasn't been touched for who knows how long. Rumor has it that it's filled with old treasures, relics, and perhaps even a few cultivation manuals. But he needs people capable of handling the dangers within."

"And you're planning on going?"

Wang Shao nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! I accepted the mission on the spot. But then I thought why not invite you to come along? I could use someone with your skills, and we could split the benefits. Besides, it'll be more interesting with company."

"An ancient ruin, you say?" Bai Jian mused, the offer tugging at his curiosity.

Wang Shao nodded, his eyes gleaming. "And not just any ruin. The City Lord believes it might be a relic from one of the old cultivation clans. Imagine the kinds of things we might find there! But it'll also be dangerous. I won't blame you if you'd rather stay here."

Bai Jian met his friend's gaze, his resolve clear. "I'm in. I could use the experience, and it sounds like an opportunity worth taking."

Wang Shao broke into a wide grin, clapping Bai Jian on the shoulder. "Excellent! We leave at dawn tomorrow. Prepare what you need, and I'll meet you at the gates. Together, we'll make this a mission to remember."

As Wang Shao headed off to make his own preparations, Bai Jian's thoughts lingered on the upcoming journey.

"This would be a good opportunity to test out my new strength, as well as prepare for the upcoming tournament," he thought to himself.