Chapter 4: Cultivation

Chapter 4: Cultivation

The morning sunlight filtered through the streets as Shun Lee and Wu Pei walked alongside Sister Mei toward Ocean Academy. Wu Pei buzzed with excitement, practically skipping as he babbled on about his dreams of becoming a powerful soul master.

"I'll be the strongest soul master, maybe even stronger than the city guards!" Wu Pei grinned, clenching his fists dramatically. "Just you wait, Shun! I'll be famous one day."

Shun Lee shot him a sideways glance and smirked. "You? A powerful soul master? Sure. And I'll be the Emperor by next week."

Wu Pei scowled, puffing out his cheeks. "You'll see! You just don't believe in my potential, do you?"

"Potential?" Shun Lee teased with mock seriousness. "I think you mean delusions."

They exchanged playful banter, their teasing resembling that of siblings. Sister Mei walked ahead, smiling quietly to herself as she listened to their chatter. It was refreshing to see Shun Lee, who had always kept to himself, beginning to open up.

After a while, the towering gates of Ocean Academy came into view. The academy was enormous, with grand marble pillars and banners swaying in the breeze. The sight made Wu Pei's eyes sparkle with awe, but Shun Lee remained composed, though his heart stirred with curiosity.

Once inside, they were directed to the Dean's office, where they met the academy's leader—a tall man with sharp eyes and a warm smile. He wore a flowing robe embroidered with the symbols of water and wind, exuding an aura of quiet strength.

"I am Chun Lei," the Dean introduced himself with a grin. "Welcome to Ocean Academy. I'll be overseeing your journey as soul masters."

Wu Pei's jaw dropped. "Wait! Chun Lei? As in the Chun Lei?! The one who defended the city from the Beast Tide?"

Shun Lee cringed as Wu Pei practically bounced in excitement. "Great. He's going to faint next."

Wu Pei glared at him. "I'm just appreciating greatness! Something you wouldn't understand."

Shun Lee rolled his eyes. "You mean worshipping greatness. Big difference."

Their playful bickering continued until Dean Chun Lei chuckled, clearly amused by their antics. "It seems you two are already inseparable."

Sister Mei sighed with a small shake of her head. "They've been like this all morning."

The Dean raised his hand to stop their argument before it could escalate further. "All right, boys, let's focus. You'll need all your energy for what's to come."

He handed them their school supplies such as robes, a basic soul master guidebook, and a jade pendant bearing the academy's insignia. "You'll be joining Class C, where many beginners start. Don't underestimate the basics; everything begins with a solid foundation."

Wu Pei nodded eagerly, clutching his supplies like they were treasure. Shun Lee, however, examined the pendant thoughtfully, wondering what lay ahead for him in this new chapter of life.

"You two head to your classroom now," Chun Lei instructed. "Sister Mei will handle the remaining paperwork. Make me proud, boys."

They turned to Sister Mei, who gave them a warm smile. "You'll do fine. Just don't fight with your classmates on the first day, okay?"

The boys grinned. "No promises," Wu Pei said mischievously.

They bid Sister Mei farewell, watching her walk away with a lingering sense of gratitude.

As they rushed toward their new classroom, Wu Pei chattered excitedly about the adventures that awaited them, but Shun Lee's thoughts began to drift. A small part of him wondered if this was the fresh start he had been hoping for.

Shun Lee and Wu Pei arrived at their new classroom, greeted by the lively buzz of students chatting and forming small groups. The other children had already begun making friends, which made Shun Lee feel out of place. He stood near the doorway, scanning the room awkwardly while Wu Pei, as expected, dove straight into conversation with another boy who seemed just as energetic as him.

Shun Lee hesitated, unsure of how to join any conversation. His heart raced, and he shuffled toward an empty corner of the room, hoping no one would notice his awkwardness. His thoughts spiraled 'What do I even say to them? What if they think I'm weird?'

Before he could overthink further, the classroom door slid open with a loud thud, and a tall man with a stern yet kind expression walked in. "Quiet down, everyone. Find your seats. Let's get started," the teacher announced, his voice was calm but there was a hint of commanding. The students quickly settled into their seats.

"I am Teacher Feng, and I'll be your instructor for both theory and practical cultivation throughout your 3 years of staying in this academy. We'll be learning how to awaken and develop your martial spirits, as well as increase your soul power through cultivation. But before that let's get to know each other," he said.

Teacher Feng's gaze swept across the room. "One by one, each of you will introduce your name, your martial spirit, and the level of your soul power. It's important that we know each other's strengths and weaknesses as we embark on this journey together."

One by one, the students introduced themselves. Most had fairly ordinary martial spirits such as a Wooden Staff, a Cooking Pot, even a Rolling Pin. Their soul power levels ranged between 1 and 3, with only a few children managing to hit 4.

Then it was Wu Pei's turn. With his usual enthusiasm, he leapt to his feet.

"I'm Wu Pei! My martial spirit is the Fury Guitar! I have a soul power of 3, but I plan to reach 10 in no time!"

The class responded with a wave of laughter and applause, charmed by his confidence. Wu Pei basked in the attention, flashing a grin at everyone. Shun Lee, sitting quietly beside him, gave a subtle smirk at Wu Pei's theatrics.

"Shun Lee, you're next," Teacher Feng called.

Shun Lee stood up slowly, feeling the weight of all the curious eyes on him. His throat felt dry, and his heart pounded harder. He opened his mouth to speak, but his voice came out unexpectedly high-pitched. "I... uh—"

The awkward squeak made him freeze in place, and before he could stop himself, he bit his tongue. "Ow!" he yelped, instinctively clamping a hand over his mouth.

The classroom erupted into giggles. Some students doubled over laughing, while others tried to stifle their amusement. Even Wu Pei had to hide his grin behind his hand.

Shun Lee's face flushed with embarrassment. 'What a great start,' he thought bitterly.

Teacher Feng cleared his throat, bringing the class to attention. "Let's give him a moment."

Gathering the courage to continue, Shun Lee forced himself to speak again, this time more carefully. "I... I'm Shun Lee. My martial spirit is... A watch." His voice wavered but stayed steady. "And my soul power is 7."

The laughter turned to murmurs of surprise. A few students gasped, and others exchanged impressed glances. Even Teacher Feng raised an eyebrow.

"A soul power of 7? Impressive. That's a rare talent," he remarked with a nod of approval.

Shun Lee sat back down, relieved that the worst was over, though the sting of his earlier blunder still lingered.

Once everyone had introduced themselves, Teacher Feng began the lesson. "Now, let's talk about how we cultivate soul power. You may have heard of terms like 'Meditation' or 'Soul Circulation,' but we'll go deeper into the theory behind it today."

He walked to the front of the classroom and wrote on the board: 'Meditation and Internal Circulation.'

"In our cultivation journey, you must first learn to connect with your martial spirit and allow soul power to flow through your body. This is called internal circulation. Think of it like a river if there's a blockage, the flow stops, and your soul power stagnates. If the river flows smoothly, your power increases."

He continued, "The key to cultivating is meditation. By sitting quietly and focusing inward, you can guide your soul power through your body in specific patterns. With each successful circulation, your soul power increases, and eventually, you will awaken new abilities from your martial spirit. However, cultivation is not a sprint it requires patience, consistency, and discipline."

Shun Lee leaned forward in his seat, his earlier embarrassment momentarily forgotten. He marveled at the concept. So this is how they strengthen themselves… The idea of growing stronger through sheer effort and concentration fascinated him.

Teacher Feng smiled as he noticed the eagerness in his students' eyes. "Remember, cultivating isn't just about increasing your power. It's about balance between the body, mind, and spirit. If you neglect one, your progress will falter."

After an engaging discussion on circulation methods and the importance of balance, the teacher gave them instructions to meditate after lunch.

"Let's have a break but always remeber that the first stages of cultivation are the most important. The more familiar you become with guiding your soul power, the easier it will be to progress," Teacher Feng advised.

When the lesson ended, the bell rang, signaling the start of lunch. Students quickly got up, chatting excitedly among themselves as they made their way to the cafeteria.

Wu Pei gave Shun Lee a nudge. "See? Told you we'd get stronger here!"

Shun Lee smiled faintly but still felt a little weighed down by his earlier misstep. 'I made a fool of myself... but I'll get better. I have to.'

As Shun Lee and Wu Pei walked to the cafeteria, their conversation was light and full of excitement.

"I can't wait to try what Teacher Feng taught us," Wu Pei said, grinning. "Bet I'll master it before you do!"

Shun Lee chuckled. "Keep dreaming. We both know I'll get the hang of it first."

Wu Pei shot him a teasing look. "Says the guy who tripped during morning practice and nearly faceplanted."

Shun Lee groaned, his shoulders slumping. "Why do you keep bringing that up?"

"Because it was hilarious," Wu Pei said, laughing. "You were like a chicken trying to take flight!"

Shun Lee rolled his eyes, feeling the sting of embarrassment settle in. He opened his mouth to fire back, but just as the words formed, a new voice interrupted.

"Hey, mind if I sit with you?"

Both boys looked up to see Bei Lin, the same student whose presence had made Shun Lee uncomfortable earlier. Bei Lin smiled at Wu Pei, his expression confident but friendly.

Wu Pei, always easygoing, nodded without hesitation. "Sure, pull up a seat."

"Man, today's class was tougher than I thought," Wu Pei said.

"Right?" Bei Lin agreed. "But I've heard that with enough practice, meditation gets easier. I bet we'll be pros in no time."

Shun Lee's discomfort deepened as Bei Lin pulled out a chair, plopped down next to Wu Pei, and started chatting as if they were old friends. Shun Lee shifted in his seat, glancing between them. The conversation between Wu Pei and Bei Lin flowed easily. They were already exchanging jokes and talking about the class as if they'd known each other for years.

Shun Lee sat in silence, feeling awkward and out of place. He tried to keep up with the conversation, but every time he opened his mouth to say something, the words got stuck in his throat.

"Hey, Wu Pei," Bei Lin said, nudging him with a grin, "what do you think about Teacher Feng's lecture? Pretty cool, huh?"

"Yeah! Can't wait to try meditating for real this time," Wu Pei replied enthusiastically.

Shun Lee forced a smile, but inside, he felt invisible. His chest tightened with a pang of loneliness, like he was an extra piece that didn't quite fit in the puzzle. The cheerful exchange between Wu Pei and Bei Lin continued, leaving Shun Lee to stew in his own thoughts.

'Should I just leave?' he wondered. 'They're already getting along so well… Maybe this is just how things are supposed to be—me on the outside looking in.'

Wu Pei noticed Shun Lee's silence and turned toward him with a teasing grin. "Hey, Shun, why so quiet? Planning your next tongue-twister performance?"

Shun Lee gave a half-hearted smirk. "Nah, just waiting for you to debut as that musical octopus you were dreaming about earlier."

Wu Pei burst out laughing. "Good Luck with that in making it a reality!"

Even Bei Lin chuckled, and for a brief moment, Shun Lee felt a flicker of belonging. But it was fleeting, and soon the conversation turned back to Wu Pei and Bei Lin, leaving Shun Lee once again on the outskirts.

When lunch ended, they returned to the classroom for practical lessons. Teacher Feng was already waiting, his stern gaze scanning the students. "You're late," he said as the trio took their seats.

Shun Lee felt a flicker of embarrassment but quickly sat cross-legged as instructed. Teacher Feng began explaining the basics of cultivation and the importance of clearing one's mind.

Shun Lee tried his best to focus, but no matter how hard he concentrated, he couldn't seem to connect with his energy. Beside him, Wu Pei sat with his eyes closed although it was clear from his lazy posture that he wasn't taking it seriously.

Shun Lee gave him a light nudge. "You'll really be a musical octopus if you don't focus."

Wu Pei cracked one eye open and grinned. "And you'll be the Spoon Boy clapping offbeat."

Their whispered banter earned a sharp look from Teacher Feng. "If there's a problem, share it with the class," he said.

Both boys straightened up, their playful mood deflated.

"Teacher," Wu Pei spoke first, "I keep getting distracted. I don't know how to clear my mind properly."

Shun Lee hesitated but followed. "I… I don't feel anything when I try to cultivate. It's like I can't connect to my energy at all."

Teacher Feng gave them an encouraging nod. "Cultivation is a gradual process. It's normal to struggle at first. It takes patience. The more you try to force it, the harder it becomes. Relax, focus on your breathing, and let it come naturally."

Shun Lee sighed, absorbing the advice, but he still felt a pang of disappointment. When the afternoon session ended, Teacher Feng dismissed the class, reminding them to practice meditation for 4-6 hours daily.

As the other students gathered their things, Wu Pei stretched his arms with a groan. "Well, that was... something. Wanna come play outside, Shun?"

Shun Lee hesitated, then shook his head. "Nah, I think I'll hit the library for a bit."

Wu Pei tilted his head. "Come on, don't be boring! You can read anytime."

Before Shun Lee could respond, Bei Lin jumped in. "You can join us if you want."

The offer felt more like an afterthought than genuine, and Shun Lee forced a smile. "Thanks, but I'm good. See you later."

Wu Pei gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. "Your loss, Spoon Boy!"

As they left, Shun Lee watched them disappear down the hallway. He sighed, adjusted his bag, and made his way to the quiet solace of the library.

Shun Lee gave Wu Pei a small wave as his friend ran off with Bei Lin, their laughter fading into the distance. A sense of loneliness crept into Shun Lee's chest, but he quickly shook it off. "I'm not here to play," he muttered to himself. Determined to make progress, he turned toward the library.

The library was quiet and dimly lit, with only a few students scattered among the shelves. Shun Lee breathed in the scent of old parchment and ink, finding a strange comfort in the stillness. He walked slowly along the rows of books, running his fingers over the spines, until one particular book caught his eye: "Essentials of Early Cultivation."

He grabbed the book, along with a few others on meditation techniques and martial spirit theory, and settled into a seat by the window. The sun's light filtered through the glass, casting long, golden rays on the wooden table. Shun Lee flipped open the first book and began reading about the flow of soul energy, or qi, and the importance of clearing one's mind during meditation.

As he read, he couldn't help but reflect on the earlier class. Why couldn't I do it? What if I just don't have what it takes? These thoughts nagged at him, weighing down his spirit. He knew that cultivating soul power was supposed to be a gradual process, but the frustration of feeling left behind gnawed at him.

After skimming through a few chapters, he stumbled upon a passage that resonated with him: "Cultivation is not a race. The river flows only when the mind is still and the heart patient."

Shun Lee leaned back in his chair, pondering the words. Maybe he was trying too hard, forcing something that needed time to develop naturally. He sighed, feeling a bit better but still unsure how to approach things differently.

Shun Lee left the quiet library with a stack of essential books tucked under his arm. As he walked back to the orphanage under the twilight sky, he hums with joy as he passed through the streets and couldn't help but still feel some awe in the new world he was in.

By the time he reached the orphanage, the sky was dark, and stars twinkled faintly above. He slipped into the dining area, quickly ate the leftover food, and headed to his room. The other children were already asleep, but Shun Lee's mind buzzed with energy. 'I have to try again,' he thought. 'Just another try before sleeping.'

He sat cross-legged on his bed, closed his eyes, and began to meditate, following the methods he read in the book. At first, he felt the familiar stillness, his breathing steady and deep. But soon, something unexpected happened and different colors began to swirl before his inner vision, like streams of flowing energy.

Shun Lee's eyes fluttered open in surprise. This isn't what the book described. According to the text, a beginner should only see pure white energy, but what he saw was a spectrum of vibrant colors—red, blue, green, gold—each shimmering like liquid light.

His heart raced with excitement'. These are like elements—fire, water, earth, wind.' He could feel each type of energy pulse through him, their presence unmistakable. This unexpected discovery sparked a sense of wonder, making him question his earlier assumption that he was just ordinary.

'Maybe I'm not as ordinary as I thought.'

With renewed enthusiasm, Shun Lee resumed his meditation, eager to explore this newfound power. But after only two hours, his focus wavered, and exhaustion weighed heavily on him. His body felt drained, and his head throbbed lightly.

Frustrated, he opened his eyes. 'Why can't I meditate longer?' He clenched his fists, annoyed at himself. But then the thought of his martial spirit—an elemental watch—brought a small smile to his face. He hadn't expected to discover something so unique.

He stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the moonlight spilling across the night sky. The stars seemed to wink at him, as if encouraging him.

A gentle breeze drifted through the open window, carrying with it a quiet sense of peace. Shun Lee let out a deep breath, his earlier frustration fading.' I'll figure it out... even if it takes time.'

He closed his eyes for a moment, basking in the moonlight, and whispered to himself, "I guess this is nice also."

With that happy thought lingering in his mind, Shun Lee returned to his bed, more determined than ever. As he drifted into sleep, the stars outside seemed to shine a little brighter, as if marking the beginning of a journey yet to unfold.