The morning light filtered through the wooden windows, casting a soft glow over their home. For the first time in weeks, the air inside felt lighter.
Feiyin sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, slowly exhaling as he adjusted his breathing. His body had undergone immense change, his control had sharpened, and his strength had solidified. He could feel it with every step he took, every movement he made.
Today, however, training was not his focus. Today, he was eight years old, and for the first time in a long while, he wasn't thinking about battles, about sharpening his control, about pushing his limits.
Today, he just wanted to be with his parents. The scent of fresh food filled the air, and the warmth from the stove crackled in the quiet morning. Feiyin felt a smile tug at his lips as he stretched his arms, glancing toward the kitchen. His mother was humming softly, her hands moving with practiced ease as she prepared their meal. His father sat at the table, drinking tea, his expression relaxed, a rare sight.
Feiyin's heart swelled.
It had been a difficult month, full of pain, loss, and recovery. But today, even if only for a short while, he wanted to let it all go.
As the morning passed, the three of them sat together, eating and talking, slowly easing away from the weight that had lingered over them. Halfway through their meal, Mei Liao suddenly clapped her hands together, her amethyst eyes twinkling with excitement.
"Alright, sweetheart. Close your eyes."
Feiyin blinked. His mother rarely looked this excited.
"Why?" he asked, a grin tugging at his lips despite himself.
"Because it's your birthday, and I have something for you."
Feiyin tilted his head but did as he was told, closing his eyes. He heard soft footsteps, followed by the rustling of fabric. Then, something warm and incredibly soft draped over his shoulders.
"Okay, open them."
Feiyin blinked his eyes open and looked down.
A black robe, threaded with silver and purple, lay neatly over his frame. He ran his fingers over the fabric, feeling its smoothness.
"This… this is the one you were making."
His mother nodded, watching him carefully. "I made it just for you, my love. Something sturdy, something that fits you well, and something that looks just as handsome as you."
Feiyin blushed at the compliment, but he held the robe tighter.
"It's perfect."
"I knew you'd like it." His mother beamed, her smile as warm as the morning sun.
Feiyin immediately tried it on, rolling his shoulders and adjusting the fit. It was light but durable, moving with his body like a second skin.
"It fits perfectly!"
His mother smirked. "Of course it does. I know my son well."
"It does suit you."
Feiyin turned toward his father, who had been quietly watching the entire exchange. Cai Feng stood from his seat and, without another word, placed something heavy in front of Feiyin on the table. A saber.
Feiyin froze. His fingers twitched as he reached forward, lifting the weapon carefully. It was smaller than his father's, a perfect size for him, but its design mirrored the blade he had trained with under Cai Feng's guidance.
A long, single-edged curved blade, sharpened to perfection. The weight was just right, made just for him.
His father's voice was steady. "You are no longer a child who needs to be sheltered. You have stepped onto the path of cultivation. And so, you will need a blade that is yours."
Feiyin swallowed hard, holding the weapon with reverence.
"Dad… this…"
"You've earned it."
His grip tightened. He had spent months learning under his father's guidance, understanding what it meant to wield a saber, what it meant to draw a blade with intent.
This weapon…It was a responsibility.
Feiyin took a slow breath and nodded, his expression serious. "I will wield it well."
His father smirked slightly. "Good."
Mei Liao crossed her arms and sighed dramatically. "I give him a beautiful robe, and you give him a weapon. It's always swords and training with the two of you."
Cai Feng raised a brow. "It's a saber."
Mei Liao rolled her eyes. "Same thing."
Feiyin laughed, hugging both his robe and his saber close.
His mother chuckled, running her fingers through his hair. "Happy birthday, my little one."
His father placed a hand on his shoulder, warm and steady. "Keep growing well."
Feiyin nodded, his heart full.
This was the happiest he had been in a long time.
,
The evening air was warm, the scent of cooked meats and seasoned vegetables filling their small home as Feiyin sat between his parents, his stomach full and his heart light.
It was a rare moment of peace. His mother had insisted on making a feast for his birthday, filling the table with bowls of fragrant rice, steaming cuts of meat seasoned to perfection, and sweet glazed fruit for dessert. Feiyin ate heartily, savoring every bite, the warmth of the meal sinking into his bones. His mother kept piling food onto his plate, while his father merely smirked at his struggle to keep up.
"You've been training hard, Feiyin. You need to eat more," Mei Liao said, passing him another serving.
"Mom… I think I might explode," he groaned, rubbing his stomach.
"Nonsense. You're still growing."
His father chuckled. "Let the boy breathe, Liao."
Feiyin sighed in relief as she finally relented, though her satisfied smile told him she had already won. He leaned back slightly, staring at the dim glow of the lanterns overhead. For the first time in what felt like forever, he let himself simply exist.
No battles. No training. Just warmth, laughter, and the quiet comfort of family.
Yet, beneath that peace, something stirred.
An understanding, a realization he had been waiting for.
It was time.
His body was ready. His mind was clear. His heart was steady.
And his inner strength had reached the threshold he had long prepared for.
Feiyin looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers, feeling the energy within him pulsing like a silent rhythm.
After clearing the table and helping his mother with the dishes, he excused himself, moving to the quiet corner of their home where he often meditated.
As he settled into position, crossing his legs, straightening his back, his breathing naturally slowed.
He was not rushing. The moment was right.
He let the silence settle over him, allowing his thoughts to drift, his senses to stretch outward.
He remembered. The way each element resonated, the song each organ played, the oscillations of his own body.
And then, the question arose,
What song could be played to display harmony?
A song where every instrument played its part, yet none overpowered the others?
Where each note complemented, not conflicted?
He had pondered this for months. And now, he knew the answer.
The creation cycle.
One element leading into the next, naturally flowing, strengthening each other.
He began.
Earth. The foundation. The stability.
His spleen stirred as his inner strength vibrated in accordance with the deep, steady hum of the earth. The sensation spread, rooting him, anchoring his existence.
Then,
Metal. Structure. Precision.
The oscillations shifted, his lungs responding to the sharp, refined resonance. His breath became crisper, his control more precise, as if the very air he inhaled was being honed.
Water. Fluidity. Adaptation.
The energy flowed seamlessly, guiding itself to his kidneys, washing over him like an unshakable tide. The oscillations became deeper, rippling through him in steady waves, refreshing and purifying his core.
Wood. Growth. Flexibility.
His liver hummed, responding to the gentle surge of motion, like branches reaching toward the sky. His perception stretched outward, his sight feeling clearer, sharper, more attuned.
And then,
Fire. Vitality. Passion.
A spark ignited in his heart. The beat in his chest grew stronger, bolder, the warmth of his blood coursing with power. His very sense of taste sharpened, the air around him taking on a richness he had never noticed before.
And finally,
Back to Earth.
A full cycle.
Each element had strengthened the next, a continuous loop of creation, a symphony of harmony.
Again.
Earth.
Metal.
Water.
Wood.
Fire.
And back.
Each cycle grew smoother, each transition seamless. His body thrummed with perfect resonance. His inner strength moved without resistance, like a song played effortlessly by a master musician. Then, something shifted.
As the elements merged, converging in a cycle without flaw,
He felt it.
An unprecedented sense of harmony. It was as if every part of him, his mind, his body, his very essence, had aligned.
The external strength he had forged, the power he had tempered, the control he had refined, It all merged with his inner strength.
He had never felt so whole.
Feiyin opened his eyes.
The lanterns flickered, casting golden light over the room. He exhaled, steady, calm, entirely at peace.
He had taken another step forward.