Chapter 117: QI GATHERING

“I felt it!” Daliah shouted excitedly, her eyes snapping open.

Rowan flinched at her sudden outburst and turned to look at her in surprise.

“You did?” Logan asked. He was both surprised and happy—

Surprised because he expected Rowan to be the first to feel it,

and happy because at least one of them had succeeded.

“Yes. It was like… this soft little stream, moving inside me!”

She looked at Logan with sparkling eyes.

“At first, I thought it was just my heartbeat, but then… I felt something else. It was warmer. Like… like a tiny thread of light flowing through my chest!”

She placed a hand over her stomach and added—

“It didn’t move like blood. It was just… drifting. But I could feel it clearly. Like it was dancing with every breath I took!”

Then she looked at Rowan and whispered,

“And it felt… alive. Like it was listening to me.”

Logan was stunned.

He had expected that they might be able to feel something today—at least a faint trace of Qi.

But after hearing Daliah’s explanation… it seemed like she didn’t just feel it.

She had grasped it—clearly and completely.

Putting aside his amazement for the moment, he turned his focus back to teaching.

“Good. Now hold onto that feeling. Breathe in deeply… and slowly guide the Qi down to your stomach. Imagine it collecting there—like drops of water forming a pool,” Logan started guiding her.

Following Logan’s instructions, Daliah closed her eyes and began guiding the drifting, aimless Qi toward her stomach.

At first, nothing happened.

It was like calling out to someone who could hear—but chose not to listen.

So, Daliah relaxed her breathing and focused even more deeply.

And then… it started.

The Qi began to move.

Very slowly—so slow it almost felt like nothing was happening. But it was.

Bit by bit, it responded.

Beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

It was hard. Incredibly hard.

But she didn’t stop. She kept trying.

Meanwhile, seeing her progress, Rowan clicked his tongue quietly at himself.

Not out of jealousy—but out of frustration at his own lack of results.

Clenching his fists with silent resolve, he closed his eyes again—determined not to give up, no matter what.

Time continued to pass.

The morning breeze grew warmer, and the sky brightened gradually.

And then—Rowan’s eyes snapped open.

“I felt it too,” he whispered, almost in disbelief.

Something like this had always existed, but no one—not a single one—had ever sensed it.

Logan turned toward him.

“Good,” he said. “You both are doing really well. Normally, it takes people three to four weeks just to feel it properly.” Logan was really pleased with both of them.

“Now gather it. Guide it toward your stomach, just like what Daliah is doing. Slowly. No need to rush.” Logan continued.

Rowan nodded and closed his eyes once more.

He began following Logan’s instructions, focusing his breath and gently leading the faint stream of Qi toward his stomach.

It wasn’t easy, but now that he had sensed it, he knew it was possible. So he wasn’t in a hurry and his little bit of frustration had also vanished.

He immersed himself in the process.

He could feel it moving—soft, light, like a breeze within his body.

Seconds passed. Then minutes passed. Soon three hours went by like a blink.

The golden rays of morning finally broke through the horizon, and gentle sunlight fell across their shoulders.

Rowan exhaled slowly, then opened his eyes again.

He looked at Daliah—still completely absorbed in her training, eyes closed in deep focus.

He wanted to keep going too.

But no matter how eager they were to learn, he couldn’t forget—Logan was their guest.

And here they were, making him train them without even offering breakfast.

It was already late in the morning.

He felt it would be better to eat first—then continue training with a fresh mind.

“…I think we should eat breakfast first,” he said with a polite smile. “We’ll need strength if we’re going to keep this up.”

Logan let out a small chuckle. “Fair point.”

Daliah opened her eyes as well.

She stretched her arms and stood up. “But don’t take too long! I want to try again after breakfast.”

Logan nodded. “We’ll continue after we eat. And next… we’ll begin gathering properly.”

The three of them got up from their lotus position together, the warmth of sunlight on their backs and the first steps of cultivation already taken.

They didn’t leave the terrace.

Instead, Rowan sent words by a guard standing outside and few minutes after that, a few servants arrived—carrying trays of warm food and setting them neatly on the table nearby. The breakfast was already ready when they got instruction. They just had to bring it.

The scent of fresh bread, butter, jelly, spiced eggs, and herbal tea quickly filled the air.

Daliah’s eyes lit up. “Let’s dig in quickly.”

She dropped down onto a cushion with zero hesitation and grabbed a slice of bread. “Actually i was starving a bit. It’s good that we took a break.”

Rowan followed, sitting beside her with a calm sigh. “Me too. I don’t think I’ve ever been this hungry after just sitting and breathing.”

“That’s because you weren’t just breathing,” Logan said, sitting across from them. “You can’t even imagine how greatly it will boost your energy and stamina. And in the beginning, it’s the hardest part. So it takes more out of you than it seems.”

Daliah munched happily. “Still. Worth it. I actually felt it! And I’m going to do it even better after breakfast.”

Logan poured himself some tea. “We’ll continue gathering again after this. But slowly. No need to rush.”

Rowan nodded. “Alright.”

For a few minutes, there was only quiet chewing, sips of tea, and the occasional clink of plates. Morning sunlight filtered in through the terrace pillars, casting soft golden beams across the training floor.

They enjoyed their breakfast before starting it again. They were tired. But it was nothing compared to the eagerness they had for learning and trying cultivation.

And when the last bite was taken, and their cups sat empty on the table…

They stood up.

“Let’s get started again.” Daliah could barely control her excitement.

Training was about to resume again.

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