Zego and the Elder returned to the gorge. The journey to the village, the brief interactions with the children and the locals, and the meal with the Elder had given Zego new energy and perspective. He no longer felt mentally exhausted; instead, he was filled with a burning spirit. The experience made him realize that his power was not just for himself, but to protect the warmth and peace he had seen in the village.
"Alright, kid, it's time for us to get back to training," the Elder said, now standing beside the waterfall, looking at Zego seriously. His expression was a blend of pride and sternness. "You have learned the basics of Taichi Breathing. Now, it's time to perfect it."
Zego nodded, his eyes radiating fierce determination. He knew that perfecting a technique was far more difficult than simply learning it. It was no longer about knowing how, but about making it a part of his very being.
("Second Technique: Taichi Breathing". This technique is the core of the Elder's philosophy of balance. Zego must take a deep breath, drawing the thick black Aura energy from his core and the pure white Qi energy from the surrounding nature, then unifying the two within himself.
Taichi Breathing is not merely breathing; it is a cycle of life where two opposing energies are merged into one. Its main effect is to create a stable, powerful, and inseparable flow of energy throughout Zego's body. This is not only for defense or attack but also for perfecting the internal condition of his body, making Zego immune to poison, disease, and fatigue.
The impact of this technique is profound. When successfully perfected, Taichi Breathing will form an invisible energy shield around Zego's body that automatically protects him from both physical and energy attacks. In addition, the technique also enhances Zego's senses, allowing him to perceive every fluctuation of energy around him in great detail.)
"Taichi Breathing is not something you do, kid, but something you are," the Elder said, his words full of wisdom. "It must become your second nature, as natural as your own heartbeat or breath. If you still have to think about doing it, it means you haven't mastered it yet."
On the peak of a towering cliff, behind a thick cluster of bushes, a figure was hidden. His black robe blended perfectly with the darkness, and his face was covered by a deep hood, leaving a pair of eyes that shone with a cold glint. He had been there for days, motionless and silent, with only his eyes radiating a thick, malevolent intent, watching the two figures below: an old man and a young man. The distance was great, but his sight went beyond the limits of the naked eye. He could see every drop of water that hit Zego's body, every wrinkle on the Elder's face.
"That boy... his power is getting stronger. His eyes... his eyes are truly an invaluable treasure," the mysterious figure thought to himself. He could sense the pure energy radiating from Zego's eyes, a power so rare and pure, far beyond anything he had ever felt. "The only boy capable of unifying two opposing cores. A phenomenon that should be impossible."
He knew that the Elder, the old man, was the guardian of that power. He didn't want to deal with the Elder, as he knew the Elder was a dangerous and formidable person. However, seeing Zego's rapid development, he knew he couldn't wait any longer. "With such power in the hands of the wrong person... or a person who doesn't know how to control it... it could be a disaster. I must get it before anyone else does," he muttered softly. His evil intent intensified, and he began to plot his move.
Back in the gorge, Zego was unaware that he was being watched. Zego began his first challenge: maintaining Taichi Breathing while moving. The Elder ordered Zego to run laps around the gorge. Zego started running, but he realized that maintaining Taichi Breathing while in motion was much more difficult than when he was sitting still. Every step, every movement of his hands, every gust of wind that hit his body, disrupted the unified flow of energy. He felt like two turbulent rivers were clashing inside him.
"Focus, kid!" the Elder shouted from a distance, his voice sharp as a whip. "Let it flow, don't force it! Make every step a part of your breath! Feel the wind, feel the ground beneath your feet, and let it all become a part of you!"
Zego tried again. He focused on every step, on every breath. He imagined every cell in his body pulsating with balanced Yin and Yang energy. Slowly, he began to find a rhythm. His breathing became stable, and he could feel his Taichi Breathing flowing throughout his body as he ran, making him feel lighter, faster, and stronger.
For the first week, Zego could only run for a few hours before he got exhausted and his energy flow faltered. He got up, wiped away the sweat and dust, and kept trying. He knew the Elder was watching him, and he didn't want to disappoint him. In the second week, he could run all day without feeling tired. Not only could he maintain his Taichi Breathing, but he also felt his body become lighter, faster, and stronger. He could sense every gust of wind, every tiny vibration on the ground, and every fluctuation of energy around him.
The Elder saw this and smiled. "Good, kid. Now, it's time for the next challenge."
The second challenge was to maintain Taichi Breathing while fighting. The Elder and Zego entered into a combat training mode. The Elder attacked Zego with rapid punches and kicks. Zego had to evade those attacks while maintaining his Taichi Breathing.
This was far more difficult than running. Every one of the Elder's attacks was a test for his Taichi Breathing. Zego had to focus on defense, but he also had to maintain his energy flow. Every time he faltered, the Elder would hit him hard, but this time, the blows weren't just for punishment; they were for teaching. The Elder's punches now felt like energy waves that stabilized Zego's faltering flow.
"Don't just defend, kid!" the Elder shouted. "Counter! Use your Yin-Yang Fist! Let your Taichi Breathing balance your offense and defense!"
Zego tried. He evaded the Elder's punch, then countered with his Yin-Yang Fist. His right hand was cold, his left hand was hot. He felt like he was dancing in the middle of a storm, balancing Yin and Yang with every move. Slowly, he began to withstand the Elder's attacks, and he could even counter with effective strikes. Their fight became a beautiful and deadly dance of energy, Yin meeting Yang, offense meeting defense, all in a strange harmony.
During a break in training, the Elder sat on a rock, watching Zego, who could now maintain his Taichi Breathing with ease, even as he leaped from one cliff to another. The Elder smiled with satisfaction, but behind his smile was a deep concern. He knew that Zego's power would attract unwanted attention.
Zego nodded, the Elder's words reminding him of the village he had visited. He remembered the children's smiles, the people's warmth. He realized that he wasn't just training to become strong, but also to protect the people he loved and the weak. He didn't want anyone else to have to experience the same loss he had.
"I must become stronger," Zego thought. "For the Elder, for my friends, and for all the weak people out there."
Zego continued to train. He spent weeks, months, perfecting his Taichi Breathing. He could even maintain his Taichi Breathing while he slept. The breathing became a part of him, as if it were a second heart beating inside him. This breathing merged with his Aura and Qi cores, making him feel a fusion of power he had never experienced before.
Until one day, the Elder saw something extraordinary. Zego was not just maintaining his Taichi Breathing, but he was perfectly unifying his Aura and Qi cores. The two energies no longer swirled within him; they had merged into a single, powerful flow, like an inseparable river.
"That... that's incredible," the Elder mumbled, his eyes wide. He felt his entire body shiver. "He... he succeeded in unifying his Aura and Qi cores. A phenomenon that should be impossible. But he did it."
Zego opened his eyes. He felt an incredible power. He no longer felt like an ordinary human. He felt like an entity inseparable from the universe. The power flowed, calm and peaceful, but at the same time, he felt the potential to destroy mountains.
"Kid, you... you did it," the Elder said, his voice trembling. He looked at Zego with immense awe. "You succeeded in unifying your Aura and Qi cores. That... that is an incredible achievement. No one has ever done it before."
Zego smiled. He didn't know what to say. He just felt happy. Happy that he had fulfilled the Elder's expectations, and happy that he had gone further than he had ever imagined.
"Now, you are ready to learn the third technique," the Elder said, his eyes radiating an irrepressible excitement. "But before that, let's eat. We'll celebrate this achievement of yours."
Zego nodded; he felt hungry. They ate, and the Elder told him more about his past, about his sect, and about his former disciple. Zego listened carefully, and he realized more and more that he had a great responsibility. He was the Elder's hope, and he would not disappoint him.
Meanwhile, behind the bushes, the mysterious figure growled. "Can't wait any longer. That boy... his power is getting stronger. I must act now." The figure then disappeared, leaving a cold trail of dark energy. The hunt had begun.