Path of the Dragon Warrior

oed across the mountainside. The energy he had felt moments before lingered in the air, pulsing with a

ed," the voice repeated, a

nd whirled as he looked around, expecting to see a figure looming above him,

oice barely audible over th

y frame, long silver hair flowing around his shoulders, and a long beard that seemed to drift like

old spirit said, raising a brow as

to find his voice. "I... Yes. Bu

"Hardly. I am the spirit of a great c

the spectral figure in sh

isdainful smile ."Haven't you heard

ourse, I have. But I haven't heard of a spi

reach a certain level in your cultivation, your spirit can still remain when you meet your d

the spirit "You're rea

tell you stories, but I suspect you'd be more interested in und

shed. "What...w

higher. "You're all potential, no foundation.

hitting a bit too close to home. "So..

structured, barely held together." He studied Jian, a hint of exasperation cr

orn pride made him straighten his back. "I'm

you've struggled. Let me guess-you've spent all your time

ll, I've been focusing on improving my control and training my m

k a solid foundation. Your internal energy is scattered,

lways told me to push harder, to try

h sarcasm. "Brilliant advice. Forget about balance, cont

cess what he was hearing. "So.

the trouble. Finally, he sighed. "Your energy should flow like water. Yet you t

to grasp the concept. "So...you're s

it with intent, rather than brute force. Right now, you're just

er, forcing his way through, would eventually lead to a breakthrough. The idea of

irit, hesitant. "And you

I was a great warrior? The art of guiding martial energy was second nature to me.

ke a hit yet again. "Well, if you'r

folding his arms as thou

roat. "...Old spiri

ing his eyes. "Oh, so n

. I need your guidance. If you truly are as great as y

ected Jian to ask so directly. For a moment, he s

rudging. "I will teach you, since it

ement surging within him.

sion sharpening with displeasure. "Old S

aken aback. "That sounds..

s glint in his eyes. "Would you rather ca

way. "Um...how about just 'Old Sp

red, clearly offended. "Do you

g to keep a straight face. "Well...you are

is breath before sighing. "Very well, if that's all you can

iled, a grin breaking through his ser

verity. "Laugh it up, boy. It's you w

dding with a barely concealed

yes, looking somewhat resig

mix of pride and embarrassment at b

echoed, as if testing

hand. You felt that surge of energy wh

ng serious as he remembered the o

ppened?" the spirit asked, folding his

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