"…Enough, enough."
Cloud Retainer sighed, deciding to temporarily abandon the breathing method.
"We'll set the breathing aside for today. The priority is teaching you the proper use of a Vision, lest others say a disciple of Cloud Retainer uses divine wind merely to cool himself—an embarrassment to my name!"
She led Yi Chen to a wide, open training ground outside the cave.
"Now—steady your mind. Fully mobilize the elemental power within your Vision and gather it here."
She motioned for him to stand still, her tone growing serious.
"Let me see what your foundation truly looks like."
Yi Chen nodded, took a deep breath, and became serious.
Truthfully, since obtaining his Vision, he had never properly unleashed it at full power. This was a good opportunity to test its limits.
He closed his eyes and sank his consciousness into the green-glowing Vision.
At first, only a gentle breeze rose, stirring Cloud Retainer's feathers and Yi Chen's bangs.
Cloud Retainer nodded inwardly. Good elemental sensitivity. A solid start.
But as Yi Chen continued channeling his will, things began to change.
Within a few breaths, dark clouds gathered overhead at a visible speed, pressing low.
The air began to roar violently. Dust and fallen leaves were swept up into small tornadoes across the training ground!
Cloud Retainer remained steady in the gale, calmly evaluating.
Impressive momentum. Elemental output is considerable. Unexpected, but still within estimation. Worthy of an adeptal bloodline.
Yet Yi Chen didn't stop.
He felt… he hadn't reached his limit.
So he continued.
A strange familiarity rose from deep within his blood—an instinctive sense of control—and an embarrassingly dramatic line burst out almost involuntarily:
"Gale—heed my command!!!"
The moment the words left his mouth—
BOOM—!!!
An unimaginable pressure erupted outward with Yi Chen at its center!
This wasn't merely stronger wind—it was as though all wind in the world had awakened, submitted, and converged in obedience!
Cloud Retainer was forced back half a step, immortal energy surging instinctively to form a protective barrier.
This… this is?!
This was no longer mere elemental manipulation!
The density and range of control were akin to a newborn demon god displaying authority!
Could it be because of his awakened Qilin bloodline?
Wind follows the tiger, clouds follow the dragon. The Qilin, lord of beasts—commanding the elements is not impossible…
In her perception, all wind within a hundred kilometers of Mt. Aocang had received an absolute decree, falling under Yi Chen's will.
Yi Chen felt he could push further—perhaps another thirty percent.
At that moment, Cloud Retainer forcibly suppressed her shock and shouted:
"That's enough! Stop! No more!"
If he continued, Mt. Aocang itself might not survive!
Yi Chen complied immediately, relaxing his mind.
The instant he stopped, the clouds dispersed as if swept away by an invisible hand.
The howling wind vanished. Dust and leaves drifted gently back to the ground.
The world returned to calm, as if the apocalyptic scene had never happened.
Only Cloud Retainer's slightly ragged breathing and lingering shock proved it had been real.
She stared at Yi Chen's hopeful, "Master, was I good?" expression in silence for a long time.
Finally, she took a deep breath and said in a complicated tone:
"…It seems my previous definition of your 'basic foundation' requires revision."
"Today's lessons are cancelled. You… go play nearby. Let me… calm down and rework the curriculum."
Yi Chen froze—then his eyes lit up.
"Eh?! A day off on my first day of cultivation? Master, you're way too lenient! At this rate, when will I achieve enlightenment and bring glory to our sect?"
He crossed his arms and shook his head like a little old man, utterly unaware he had nearly broken his master's worldview.
Cloud Retainer: "..."
Her temple twitched.
Grinding her beak, she said,
"Enough chatter! Go play! Familiarizing yourself with Mt. Aocang is also cultivation! Say one more word and I'll have you sweep the entire back mountain!"
Yi Chen fled instantly.
"Got it! Exploring—I'm great at that!"
"Take your time prepping lessons, Master!"
He vanished happily into the clouds.
Cloud Retainer stood alone in the wind.
She pressed a wing to her forehead and sighed deeply.
This disciple… is far too challenging.
How am I supposed to teach him?!
Meanwhile, in Liyue Harbor, at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—
Zhongli paused mid-sip.
A faint ripple of authority passed through the world.
Wind… commanded.
His brows relaxed.
"So it was Yi Chen."
He took another sip of tea.
Then there is nothing to worry about.
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