3 days has passed since
If the previous week had been cold, then today was merciless. The wind cut through the courtyard like a blade, and the frost beneath their feet had hardened into a near-solid sheet of ice. The cold didn't just bite—it seeped into their bones, slowing their movements and making even the simplest actions feel strained.
Qi flowed like water, but in conditions like these, that water turned sluggish, unresponsive. If left unchecked, the disruption in flow could be dangerous—Qi blockages could weaken the body, lead to severe exhaustion, or even cause internal damage if forced too recklessly.
Lin Wuye stood at the center of the training ground, his arms crossed as his students trembled in the freezing air.
"This is reality." he stated firmly.
"The battlefield is not flat, nor gracious. You will not always fight in perfect conditions. If you cannot adapt, you will fall."
Bao exhaled, his breath curling in the air. "So what do we do?"
Lin Wuye knelt, running his fingers lightly over the frost-covered ground.
"First, you learn to breathe properly."
He then demonstrated a new breathing technique, Lotus Veil Breathing, one that slowed the exhale and distributed warmth through the meridians, preventing Qi stagnation.
"Control the breath, and your Qi will follow."
Bao picked it up instantly, his body adjusting to the flow naturally. He stretched, rolling his shoulders.
"Oh yeah, this feels nice. Meilin, you getting this?"
Layla, however, was not getting it.
"I am breathing from my core!'' she wheezed, her Qi still sluggish despite her best efforts.
Jiang, surprisingly, was struggling too. "It's like trying to push through mud." he muttered.
A small voice cut through their complaints. "I-I think I'm doing it!"
All eyes turned to Zhu Fen, the youngest disciple, who was visibly shaking from the cold but still maintaining the breathing rhythm. His face was red, and his hands trembled, but his Qi flow remained stable.
Jiang blinked. "Wait, how—"
"I'm just… following what you did, Senior Jiang." Zhu Fen admitted.
"But slower. And… I tried imagining warmth instead of forcing it."
Lin Wuye nodded approvingly. "A good method. Perhaps you should take notes, Jiang."
Jiang groaned. "I just got lectured by an eleven-year-old."
Bao laughed. "Nah, you got outperformed by an eleven-year-old."
Layla sighed, watching Zhu Fen continue his breathing. "Alright, fine. Let's try this again."
With their Qi circulation improving, Lin Wuye moved onto the next phase of training.
Adapting to the Terrain
"The battlefield is never still" he reminded them.
"Ice, mud, rain, unstable ground—your movements must adapt to whatever is beneath you. Otherwise, your enemy won't need to defeat you. The terrain will do it for them."
They started with footwork drills on the icy surface, and within minutes, it became very clear who was struggling.
Jiang adapted instantly, his low stances and precise weight distribution keeping him balanced.
Bao, on the other hand, confidently rushed forward—
And immediately skidded into a tree.
Meyu winced. "Oof."
Bao groaned from the snow. "I hate this training."
Zhu Fen, meanwhile, was taking slow, careful steps, copying Jiang's movements with unwavering focus.
Layla, despite herself, was impressed.
The kid was stubborn.
Lin Wuye continued pushing them, forcing them to adjust their stances, their weight distribution, their footing. By the time they were done, even Bao could admit the lesson was necessary.
"Fine." he grumbled. "I see the value in not falling on my ass."
Jiang patted his shoulder. "You're growing. I'm so proud of you."
Bao shoved him. "Shut up."
The freezing temperatures weakened metal, making their weapons brittle. The issue became glaringly obvious when Meyu, who had been assisting with supplies, called out in frustration, holding up a snapped sword.
"We keep losing weapons to this damn cold!"
Hearing the commotion, Layla, Jiang, and Lin Wuye approached the gathered workers, all of whom were frowning at a pile of cracked and chipped blades. Layla's expression mirrored theirs—this was a major problem. Swords that couldn't hold an edge, staffs that risked splintering in mid-strike—in real combat, this could mean death.
Jiang crossed his arms. "We can't just coat everything in Qi nonstop. That'll drain anyone too fast."
Layla thought for a moment. "Maybe there's a way to reinforce the weapons? Like a protective layer—something to keep the metal from becoming too brittle."
The workers exchanged looks, clearly considering it.
"Or..." Meyu suddenly cut in, her tone far too nonchalant.
"We could just heat the weapons before use and store them properly. You know. Like normal people."
Layla blinked. "...What?"
One of the workers sighed. "Yeah, we already figured that out, Sect Leader. We built insulated storage racks and keep them near the forge. We just called you guys over 'cause it was funny watching you frown so hard."
Layla stared at them. Jiang exhaled sharply, rubbing his forehead. Lin Wuye, ever the composed master, simply nodded in approval.
"A simple yet effective solution."
Meyu slapped Layla's back with a grin. "Look at that. You overcomplicated things again."
Layla groaned, muttering, "I'm never living this down, am I?"
Meyu smirked. "Nope."
Before Layla could complain further, she turned to her father.
"How long until this brutal cold settles down?"
Lin Wuye, arms crossed, eyed the frost-covered courtyard.
"A few more weeks at most. This is the harshest part of the season. After that, the worst should pass."
Layla exhaled, watching her breath curl into the air.
"We're lucky to have Master Daokan and Atlas make that deal for the sect. And Meyu, with her oversight." She glanced at her friend.
"What's the next step, then?"
Meyu's grin widened in an all-too-familiar way. "Oh, I'm glad you asked!"
She dramatically pulled out the contract, flipping through the parchment before slamming a finger onto a tiny clause at the bottom.
"We're going to turn the Silver Lotus Sect into an attraction spot and commercialize our martial arts style!"
Layla, Jiang, and Lin Wuye visibly recoiled.
"Absolutely not!" Lin Wuye said flatly.
"Over my dead body." Jiang added.
"I refuse to turn the sect into some tourist gimmick!" Layla snapped.
Meyu, unfazed, tapped the contract again. "Ah, but behold! This tiny little clause here says the Ryl Trading Company reserves the right to monetize the sect if needed for survivability."
Jiang squinted. "That's barely readable. How small is that writing?"
Meyu grinned, holding up her fingers. "Size 4 script. Just enough to be legal!"
Layla groaned. "Meyu, I swear—"
Meyu clapped her hands together. "Don't worry! It's just a minor adjustment. A little training hall here, a demonstration there—maybe a few guided tours! Just imagine: 'Come witness the legendary Silver Lotus Sect! Live battles! Exclusive lessons! And a chance to dine with the sect leader!'"
Layla buried her face in her hands. "This is a nightmare."
Lin Wuye's expression darkened. "We cannot simply give away the sect's techniques. They have been passed down for generations."
Jiang nodded firmly. "Yeah, this is our legacy. We're not selling it."
Meyu gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart as if personally offended.
"Do I look like some money-hungry fraud to you?" She then blinked.
"Wait—don't answer that."
Layla, arms crossed, eyed her warily. "Then what exactly are you suggesting?"
Meyu's grin stretched wider. "We don't give away the techniques. We just… train people with our martial arts."
Jiang frowned. "Isn't that the same thing?"
Meyu clicked her tongue. "Of course not. Think about it! We make them pay for exclusive training sessions—but, and here's the genius part, we only teach them the basics. Just enough for them to want more but not enough to actually learn the full techniques."
Lin Wuye rubbed his forehead. "This is ridiculous. It's basically a scam but legal"
Jiang sighed. "I don't like this."
Meyu, completely ignoring them, unfurled the contract dramatically, pointing to a specific section in exaggerated fashion. "Behold! The tiny clause that says, and I quote 'Ryl Trading reserves the right to ensure the sect survivability by any means'''
Layla squinted. "That's… really tiny."
Jiang leaned in. "That's basically microscopic."
Meyu wagged her finger. "Legally binding microscopic."
Lin Wuye exhaled. "This is foolishness."
Layla sighed. "You're just like Atlas."
Meyu threw an arm around Layla, grinning. "Ah, you understand me so well. So, we all agree, right?"
The three of them exchanged glances before collectively groaning.
"Fine." Layla muttered. "But if this turns into a disaster—"
"It won't!" Meyu interrupted cheerfully, clapping her hands. "Now, let's talk pricing!"