Time flowed like water, silently slipping away. Xiao Qi's days at Qingxu Temple passed steadily and fulfillingly, filled with daily cultivation, special training, 'cultivation' in the kitchen, and exploration of the secret base. His cultivation, aided by elixirs and arduous practice, slowly yet steadily advanced toward the peak of the third layer of Qi Refining. His body grew increasingly robust under Third Senior Sister Liu Yun's 'tempering,' and his guidance of the jade pendant's purifying power became ever more proficient.
But the most remarkable progress was in his spiritual fire‑control art, which originated from the First Senior Brother's guidance and had been honed day and night with the aid of the frying pan. The familiar corner of the kitchen backyard had almost become his personal training ground. Every day after finishing his helper duties, he would unfailingly light the stove fire and set up that dark‑iron frying pan.
At first, he merely relied on the pan's uniform heat‑conducting properties to sense subtle changes in temperature, attempting to influence the pan's heat with faint fire‑attribute spiritual power. As practice deepened, his control over that wisp of fire‑attribute spiritual power reached a level of precision that surpassed what his peers could hope to achieve.
He was no longer satisfied with merely sensing temperature; he began attempting more delicate operations. For instance, when stir‑frying a portion of spirit grains that required even heating, he could simultaneously inject several fine, thread‑like strands of fire‑spiritual power into different areas of the pan, as if possessing several invisible hands that concurrently adjusted the heat distribution across the bottom, ensuring every single spirit grain turned golden and crispy at the optimal temperature, without the slightest scorch.
Or, when simmering juices from certain herbs extremely sensitive to heat, he could concentrate his spiritual power into a steady stream of warmth, tightly enveloping the pan's bottom to form a miniature constant‑temperature zone, allowing the medicinal potency to slowly extract under sustained, gentle heat, preserving its vitality to the greatest extent. This level of control had already transcended ordinary 'fire‑control,' leaning more toward a meticulous 'mastery' over energy.
On this particular day, after completing his helper work, he did not immediately start cooking. Instead, he held his breath and focused all his attention on the tip of his right index finger. He recalled the basic method of spiritual‑power externalization described in the *Introductory Qi‑Gathering Manual*, but what he applied was his own hard‑won insight into fire control.
The weak yet exceptionally tame wisp of fire‑attribute spiritual power within his body was carefully mobilized, slowly converging along specific meridians to his fingertip. His mind was highly concentrated; he no longer used the frying pan as a medium, but attempted to condense and shape directly in the outside world!
At first, only a faint burning sensation tingled at his fingertip; spiritual power scattered, unable to take form. But he did not lose heart. Recalling the feeling of seamless control he had experienced countless times while handling the pan's handle, he calmed his mind, and like regulating the pan's heat, he restrained and guided the restless fire‑spiritual power at his fingertip.
Once, twice, three times… Sweat trickled down his temples, his mental energy rapidly depleting. Just as he felt on the verge of exhaustion, the scattered warmth at his fingertip abruptly contracted!
A small flame, only the size of a soybean, displaying a bright orange‑red hue, with a stable form, quietly burning, suddenly appeared upon his index fingertip! The tiny flame flickered slightly, emitting gentle warmth. Though feeble, it remained cohesive, continuously burning, no longer threatening to dissipate at any moment like before.
Success! Xiao Qi gazed at the steady flame on his fingertip, a tremendous sense of accomplishment welling up in his heart. This was a tangible flame condensed entirely by his own spiritual‑power control, without relying on any external object! Though it was merely the most basic form, far from being able to perform spells, it signified that his mastery over his own fire‑attribute spiritual power had entered a new stage, far surpassing his peers!
Just as he was rejoicing, a calm, unruffled voice sounded from behind him: "Oh? Spiritual‑power flame‑condensation, fire‑control technique—it shows some skill."
Xiao Qi jumped in fright; the flame at his fingertip went *poof* and extinguished. He hurriedly turned around to see Master Xuanlin Zhenren standing at the courtyard gate, gazing at him with serene eyes.
"Master!" Xiao Qi promptly bowed, his heart somewhat uneasy. He didn't know how much his master had seen, nor what evaluation he would give.
Master Xuanlin Zhenren stepped forward, his eyes sweeping over Xiao Qi's face, slightly pale from spiritual‑power consumption and mental focus, then glanced at the frying pan placed beside the stove, a flicker of nearly imperceptible surprise in his eyes. He could naturally tell that Xiao Qi's exquisite fire‑control skill was not something that could be achieved merely through diligent practice of the *Introductory Qi‑Gathering Manual*; there must be some other encounter or method. Recalling the Temple Master's previous veiled mention, he already had some suspicions.
"Mastery over spiritual power is one of the foundations of cultivation. That you have gained some insight in this path is truly not easy." Master Xuanlin Zhenren did not press for details; his tone remained plain, yet carried a hint of acknowledgment. "However, remember not to neglect other aspects. Cultivation realm is the fundamental root. No matter how refined your fire‑control technique, without substantial spiritual‑power support, it remains but a reflection in a mirror, a flower in the moon."
"Yes, your disciple will remember your teachings!" Xiao Qi replied respectfully, feeling relieved, while deeply imprinting his master's admonition in his mind. He knew his master had noticed his peculiarity but chose to be tolerant and guiding, which made him feel deeply warmed.
Master Xuanlin Zhenren gave a slight nod, said no more, and turned to leave. Xiao Qi watched his master's departing figure, then looked again at his fingertip, where a trace of warmth from that small flame seemed to linger. He knew this was only the beginning. This minor mastery of fire‑control had opened a new window for him, letting him glimpse more possibilities in the application of spiritual power. Whether it was to wield the frying pan better for 'smelting' and 'harmonizing,' or for potential fire‑attribute spells in the future, this refined fire‑control ability would be an important asset.
The road ahead remained long, but every tiny step of progress brought him closer to his goal. He collected his emotions, rekindled the fire, and prepared to begin today's 'kitchen cultivation,' his fingertip seeming to still dance with that orange‑red flame representing hope and effort.