Time passed swiftly. Xiao Qi had already spent over half a year at Qingxu Temple. Under Master Xuan Lin's strict tutelage, the "devilish special training" of Senior Sister Liu Yun, and his own clumsy efforts to sense spiritual qi using the flat-bottomed pot, he finally managed to cross the first threshold of Qi Refining—drawing qi into the body, stabilizing at the first layer of Qi Refining. This speed, among the outer court disciples of Qingxu Temple, still placed him at the bottom, but for himself, it was a precious breakthrough.
One day, news spread through the temple that the first disciple under the temple master, also the chief senior brother of this generation of Qingxu Temple disciples—Mu Qingfeng—would inspect the outer court on behalf of the temple master, examining the recent cultivation progress of newly entered disciples. The news stirred excitement and nervousness among all outer court disciples.
The name Mu Qingfeng was renowned like thunder in Qingxu Temple. Though barely in his twenties, his cultivation had already reached the peak of the late stage of Qi Refining, just a step away from Foundation Establishment. More commendably, his temperament was steady and modest, his conduct fair, never looking down on any junior brother or sister due to talent or background, earning him high prestige within the temple and serving as a model admired by many disciples.
The inspection was set at the outer court martial training ground. When Mu Qingfeng arrived, dressed in simple yet elegant green robes, the previously somewhat noisy grounds instantly quieted. His features were handsome, his gaze gentle and serene, a faint, elusive peaceful smile playing at the corner of his lips. His aura was restrained, yet he possessed an inherent, calming presence that commanded respect.
He did not adopt a lofty demeanor. Instead, like a gentle elder brother, he approached each new disciple one by one, carefully inquiring about difficulties encountered in cultivation. Occasionally, he would place his hand on a disciple's wrist pulse to probe their spiritual power circulation, then offer targeted guidance. His words were few but always hit the mark; his tone remained consistently gentle, making people feel as if bathed in spring breeze.
When it was Xiao Qi's turn, he couldn't help feeling nervous. His aptitude was the poorest, his progress the slowest; he feared making a fool of himself before the senior brother.
Mu Qingfeng looked at this junior brother, smaller and thinner than his peers but with eyes revealing a stubborn glint, and gently asked, "Junior Brother Xiao Qi, has your cultivation been going smoothly lately? Are there any unresolved difficulties?"
Xiao Qi took a deep breath and voiced the problem that had long troubled him: "Reporting to Senior Brother, after drawing qi into the body, I feel the circulation of spiritual power within is extremely sluggish, the microcosmic orbit cycles slowly, far less smooth compared to my fellow disciples." He dared not mention the flat-bottomed pot, only raising a general issue.
Mu Qingfeng nodded slightly, gesturing for Xiao Qi to extend his hand. He placed two fingers on Xiao Qi's wrist pulse, and a gentle, mellow stream of spiritual power slowly probed inward. Xiao Qi felt a warm current entering his meridians; wherever it passed, his own faint and sluggishly circulating spiritual power seemed soothed and guided, involuntarily speeding up slightly, the sense of blockage noticeably lessening.
After a moment, Mu Qingfeng withdrew his fingers, pondering, "Your spiritual root attributes are mixed; obstructed spiritual power circulation is normal. You need to apply effort like water grinding stone—persevere diligently, and gradually you will achieve something." He paused, his gaze seeming to unintentionally sweep over Xiao Qi's fingertips, roughened from long-term grip on the pot handle, then continued, "However, I observe within your meridians, though the fire-attribute spiritual qi is weak, it seems... slightly more condensed than other attribute spiritual qi, and its control appears a bit more natural."
Xiao Qi's heart skipped a beat! Fire-attribute spiritual qi? Was it because he had long relied on the flat-bottomed pot's heat to sense and guide spiritual qi? Or perhaps... related to the jade pendant at his chest that occasionally emitted warmth? He couldn't be certain, much less speak of it, merely lowering his head, heart pounding wildly.
Mu Qingfeng did not delve deeper, only gently advised, "Since you show slight talent here, perhaps you could try exploring control over fire. Don't aim too high; daily cooking, heating, even assisting in refining certain basic medicinal liquids, all serve as training for minor fire-control techniques. Cultivation isn't only about sitting in meditation and refining qi; comprehending through subtle details is also the Dao."
His words flowed like a murmuring stream, silently nourishing. There was no condescending instruction, only equal exchange and practical suggestions. He didn't press Xiao Qi about the slightly abnormal fire-attribute spiritual qi's origin, nor did he dismiss him perfunctorily due to his low aptitude. Instead, he keenly captured that faint glimmer and provided directional guidance.
"Comprehending through subtle details is also the Dao..." Xiao Qi murmured these words, feeling as if a new window had opened before him. He had been desperately pursuing growth in spiritual power and circulation speed, never considering he could hone control over spiritual qi through these daily, seemingly cultivation-unrelated small tasks.
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother!" Xiao Qi bowed respectfully, filled with gratitude.
Mu Qingfeng smiled slightly, patted his shoulder, and encouraged, "Diligence can compensate for clumsiness; the Dao lies beneath your feet. Under the Discipline Hall's lineage, there are no slackers. I hope you strive diligently." Having said this, he moved on to the next disciple, continuing his patient and steady inspection and guidance.
After the senior brother left, Xiao Qi stood alone, reflecting on the conversation just now. Fire control... comprehension through subtle details... He instinctively touched his fingertips, then thought of that flat-bottomed pot that had accompanied him for so long.
That evening, in the kitchen's backyard, he lit a fire again, preparing to heat some food. This time, he was no longer content merely using the pot's heat to vaguely sense spiritual qi. He attempted, while stir-frying cold rice, to deliberately, extremely carefully, thread by thread, inject his own pitifully weak fire-attribute spiritual power into the pot handle, trying to influence the pot's temperature, to feel the subtle connection between the fire's intensity and his own spiritual power.
At first, nothing changed. The pot remained that pot; the fire remained that fire. But he didn't lose heart. Remembering Senior Brother Mu's calm and steady gaze, remembering the phrase "comprehending through subtle details," he settled his mind, trying again and again, adjusting the manner and intensity of his spiritual power output.
Finally, after countless failures, he vaguely sensed that when he injected spiritual power in a specific frequency and manner, the pot bottom's heating seemed... a bit more even? The stir-fried rice grains seemed to have slightly fewer burnt spots?
This progress was minuscule, almost negligible, perhaps merely psychological. But in Xiao Qi's heart, a new flame ignited.
The senior brother's steadiness and insight, like a bright lamp, illuminated a potentially viable small path on his confused journey ahead. He knew this road remained long and difficult, but at least he had found a direction to strive toward, a possibility to quietly integrate daily life with cultivation.
And this flat-bottomed pot, in his hands, seemed no longer merely a cooking utensil or a medium for sensing qi, but had become a tool for him to practice "comprehending through subtle details."