The streets were busier than usual that afternoon. Liang Chen walked calmly, a small satchel of pills swinging lightly at his side.
The faint warmth of spiritual energy hummed in his dantian, stronger now than ever before. It was subtle, invisible to others, but to him it was a lifeline, a constant reminder that the slow work of days and nights was not wasted.
"Power is built in the shadows, in moments no one sees," he murmured, flexing his fingers. "The world may not notice today, but one day it will bow to those who prepare while others sleep."
A sudden commotion caught his attention. Across the street, a small child had wandered into the road, chasing a rolling ball. A motorbike came speeding toward him. Liang Chen's heartbeat accelerated, and instinctively, the pulse in his dantian surged.
Without hesitation, he dashed forward. His legs moved faster than normal, his reflexes sharper. He scooped the child up just in time, placing him safely on the sidewalk. The motorbike roared past, missing them by inches.
Breathing heavily, Liang Chen looked down at the child. "Be careful… the world isn't always kind," he said quietly.
The mother ran over, tears in her eyes. "Thank you! Thank you so much! You saved him!"
Liang Chen nodded, brushing his hands clean. "Even the smallest danger teaches lessons," he whispered inwardly. "Fear is a tool, not a chain. Every heartbeat, every decision, every reflex strengthens the soul and sharpens the body."
Later, back at his small workshop, he focused on the bricks he used for training. The incident had awakened something in him — a deeper connection to his energy. When he struck a brick, the pulse of his dantian guided his muscles, enhancing speed and precision. His punches flowed smoother, his reflexes subtly faster.
"Strength is not just muscle or speed," he thought. "It's control, awareness, and courage in the face of the unexpected."
He practiced several sequences of movements, integrating the faint energy flowing through his body. A kick here, a punch there, a step and a pivot — each small action felt sharper, faster, more fluid than yesterday. His body, mind, and energy were beginning to sync in ways he hadn't thought possible.
Night fell. Liang Chen sat by the window, gazing at the city below, his thoughts calm but focused. The pulse in his dantian glowed softly, like a candle in the dark, persistent and patient.
"Every day I grow," he whispered. "Slowly, steadily… one day, no danger will catch me unprepared, no obstacle will stop me, no betrayal will break me again."
He closed his eyes, letting the warmth of his energy spread through his limbs. Small, ordinary moments — carrying groceries, helping friends, saving a child — all were threads weaving the foundation of strength.
The ember in his dantian burned a little brighter that night.
Chapter Ending Quote:
"Courage awakens the ember, discipline feeds it, and patience ensures the flame never dies."