The next few months passed by in a quiet blur of routine. Green River Town's bustling streets saw little change, as life for the common folk moved at a sluggish pace—work in the fields, a few coins earned, and a few dreams crushed by the crushing weight of class and privilege. For Xi Chen, however, time was more than just a sequence of days. It was an opportunity to refine himself and his brothers.
Xi Bing, now thirteen, had made notable progress in the tempering arts. His body had taken on a faint reddish hue, like a distant ember glowing beneath the surface. The boy's endurance was growing, his muscles becoming more defined, though it was still far from what Xi Chen envisioned. Every evening, after a long day at the forge, Xi Chen would lead him into the forest to continue their training. But it was becoming clear—Xi Bing was still lacking the mental strength to truly endure the heat that the Red Ember Tempering Art demanded.
Xi Xuan, despite his age, had grown more curious about his brothers' activities. He watched quietly, always from the sidelines, soaking in everything he could. But for now, he still lacked the physical maturity needed to begin serious cultivation. Xi Chen did not yet share the deeper aspects of their training with him, though the younger boy's sharp eyes always caught glimpses of the secret arts being practiced in the forest.
One evening, Xi Chen stood alone in the forest, his body dripping with sweat from a rigorous tempering session. His skin burned with a steady heat, the familiar crimson glow beneath the surface flickering like a living fire. The heat no longer overwhelmed him as it once did. In fact, it had become part of his being, like an extension of his soul. He closed his eyes and allowed the fire within to grow, to burn brighter, until the world around him seemed to waver under the pressure.
I am becoming something more, Xi Chen thought, feeling the power within his body. But it is not enough. Not yet.
The sound of footsteps disrupted his focus, and Xi Chen opened his eyes to find Xi Bing standing nearby, watching him with a mixture of awe and determination. His brother had been practicing on his own, but it was clear that something weighed on his mind.
"Brother," Xi Bing said, his voice quiet but resolute. "I can't keep up. I can feel the heat, but my body… it just doesn't feel strong enough. It's like I'm stuck, no matter how much I practice."
Xi Chen studied his brother for a moment, his heart heavy with understanding. This was the moment he had been waiting for. It was time to push Xi Bing further—not just physically, but mentally.
"You're right," Xi Chen said softly, stepping closer to Bing. "The body is only part of the journey. The real test is your willpower. The Red Ember Tempering Art is not just a technique to forge your body—it's a way to forge your spirit."
Xi Bing frowned, confusion evident on his face. "How can I do that, Brother?"
Xi Chen placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, guiding him to stand tall. "You must learn to control the heat, not let it control you. The fire inside you is not your enemy—it's your ally. You must learn to make the flame burn as brightly as you wish, not to be consumed by it."
He gestured toward the trees. "Let's go deeper into the forest. You're going to face something tougher than heat today."
Xi Bing looked at him, brow furrowed, but followed his brother's lead as they ventured further into the woods.
The forest grew denser as they walked. The thick foliage seemed to close in around them, creating a natural barrier from the rest of the world. The air here was cool, the shadows deep, but there was something else in the air—a presence, like the pulse of the earth itself.
Xi Chen led his brother to a small clearing, where the ground was hard and uneven. He turned to face Xi Bing, his expression serious. "This is the next step in your training. The fire inside you will test your will, and I'll be here to guide you."
Xi Bing nodded, though his nerves were evident. He stood facing his brother, ready for whatever challenge Xi Chen was about to throw at him.
Xi Chen placed a hand on the ground, focusing his energy. The temperature around them began to rise, and the air shimmered as if it was bending beneath the pressure. A faint red glow appeared in the palm of his hand, growing brighter by the second.
"You must hold this heat," Xi Chen said. "For as long as you can. Don't try to fight it. Let it burn, but do not let it consume you."
He thrust his hand forward, releasing the flame toward the ground in a controlled burst. The flames flared, casting an eerie light across the clearing, but it was not destructive. It was precise, controlled—like the red ember inside Xi Chen's own body.
Xi Bing hesitated, but then steeled himself. His brother's words echoed in his mind: The fire is not your enemy.
He stepped forward, mimicking his brother's stance. He focused on the heat that was already starting to burn beneath his skin, the tingling sensation that had become a part of him. His breath was steady, but the flames felt almost too hot, too much for him to handle.
"I can't—!" he gasped, feeling his body tremble under the intensity.
Xi Chen was there in an instant, placing a steadying hand on his back. "Breathe. Let the fire move through you. Embrace it, but don't let it control you."
For what felt like an eternity, the two brothers stood there, the flames around them flickering and dancing. The heat intensified, but Xi Bing's resolve grew stronger. He could feel it now—the fire wasn't an enemy. It was part of him.
Finally, with a final breath, the flames receded. The air grew still once more, but the red glow around Xi Bing's body remained, faint but undeniable.
Xi Chen nodded approvingly. "You did it."
Xi Bing collapsed to his knees, sweat pouring down his face. His body ached, but his eyes were wide with amazement. "I… I felt it, Brother. I felt the fire inside me."
Xi Chen knelt beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "That's only the beginning. The fire within you will grow, but it's up to you to control it."
Xi Bing looked up at his brother, his eyes filled with gratitude and determination. "I'll keep going, Brother. I won't stop."
Xi Chen smiled. It was a small smile, but it was one full of pride. He had just witnessed his brother's first step toward true strength, and it had been earned through grit, determination, and the bond they shared.
The journey had only just begun.
Back at home, as the evening sky darkened and the stars began to blink into existence, Xi Chen sat quietly in his room. He could feel the power within him, growing stronger each day. His skin, still faintly glowing, hummed with life.
But something gnawed at him—a sense of unease that he couldn't shake.
The higher-ups in Green River Town would not remain blind forever. His family's hidden strength would attract attention. And when that day came, Xi Chen would be ready.
For now, he would focus on his brothers. But soon, he would have to face the world beyond Green River Town—the world of the strong, and the world of the powerful.
The true test was still ahead.