Re-birth: The Beginning after the End

Behind the kitchen, they found three stones of varying sizes. The largest was clearly meant for Li Hao, while the smallest—though still challenging for a four-year-old—was positioned for Li Hua. She approached her stone with careful consideration, remembering to make her movements match her apparent age and size.

Following their father's instructions, she bent her knees and wrapped her small arms around the stone. It was cool against her skin, rough texture pressing into her palms as she lifted with her legs, just as their father had demonstrated. The weight was significant but manageable—her spiritual training from the previous night had prepared her muscles well, though she was careful not to make it look too easy.

Li Wei grunted as he lifted his middle-sized stone, his face reddening with effort. Li Hao, true to his athletic nature, hoisted his stone with determined grace, leading their little procession around the kitchen building.

Together they formed a line, each carrying their burden with focused determination. Li Hua felt the familiar burn in her muscles, a sensation that triggered memories of countless training sessions from her past life. But here, surrounded by her brothers' steady breathing and shared effort, the exercise took on a different meaning. It wasn't about perfecting the art of death anymore—it was about growing stronger alongside family. She adjusted her grip on the stone, allowing a small grunt to escape her lips, maintaining the facade of a struggling child while her muscle memory guided her through each careful step.

As they completed their last lap around the kitchen, their mother walked out carrying small bowls of sugar water.

Li Hua watched as her brothers carefully set down their stones, their faces flushed from exertion but brightening at the promise of the sweet treat. She followed suit, making sure to wobble slightly as she lowered her stone, though her arms barely felt the strain.

"You've all worked hard. Come take a drink," their mother said, her voice warm with pride. Li Hua accepted her bowl with both hands, inhaling the gentle aroma of brown sugar and ginger that lingered in the air.

The sugar water was perfectly cooled—their mother must have prepared it well in advance, knowing exactly when they would finish their training. Li Hua took a careful sip, letting the sweetness dance across her tongue. The refreshing drink soothed her throat, a gentle reminder of how different these morning training sessions would be from now on. Here, surrounded by family, even the simplest sugar water tasted better than the finest teas she once drank in solitude.

"Your Bàba should be back soon," their mother said, gathering the empty bowls. "I suggest you continue with your qigong until then. Take this moment to catch your breath, but work hard, alright?"

The siblings nodded, their faces bright with renewed energy from the sweet drink and their mother's gentle encouragement.

After their brief interlude, the siblings quickly resumed training and began the qigong.

Li Hua settled into her stance, feeling the familiar flow of energy through her limbs as she moved through the gentle motions. Beside her, her brothers matched her rhythm, their breathing steady and synchronized. The morning air had grown warmer now, carrying with it the sweet scent of nearby jasmine. She closed her eyes briefly, savoring the peaceful moment and the quiet strength building within her core.

"Master," Little Firefly spoke in her thoughts as she moved through the gentle motions.

"Yes?" Li Hua answered internally, maintaining her outward focus on the qigong movements.

"With your current level of control, you could enhance these exercises," the spirit suggested, its warm presence flickering with excitement. "These are just the basic forms your father is teaching now—he'll likely introduce the more advanced techniques as you all grow stronger. But given your experience, I believe you're ready for the next level. The qigong movements aren't just about physical motion—they're pathways for your spiritual essence. If you focus on circulating your spiritual energy while performing the movements, you could strengthen both your physical and spiritual foundations simultaneously."

Li Hua's interest piqued, though she kept her movements deliberately childlike. "Tell me more."

"Each movement creates a channel for energy flow. By consciously directing your qi through these channels while maintaining the physical form, you'll not only build strength but also expand your spiritual capacity. It's like adding weights to a workout, but for your spiritual essence."

A slight smile tugged at Li Hua's lips as she continued the flowing movements. "And I can do this without appearing different from my brothers?"

"Precisely, Master. The changes would be entirely internal—invisible to outside observers. Your physical movements can remain appropriately childlike while your spirit grows stronger. Your father is wise to start with the basics, but I know my master is ready for more advanced practice."

Li Hua's movements faltered slightly as a thought occurred to her. "It's not the same as cultivating, right? I won't suddenly break through?" The concern in her mental voice was clear—any sudden advancement could shake her foundation, potentially destabilizing the delicate balance she was trying to maintain in this new life.

"No, Master," Little Firefly's response came quickly, understanding her worry. "This is more like... preparing the soil before planting. We're strengthening your foundation without triggering any cultivation breakthroughs. It will make future cultivation smoother, but won't cause any sudden changes."

"Perfect," Li Hua thought, already beginning to feel the subtle currents of her spiritual essence responding to her attention. "Guide me through it."

"Yes Master," Little Firefly's presence brightened with enthusiasm. "First, reach inward to your spiritual core—feel that familiar pool of energy at your center. Draw from it gently, like scooping water with cupped hands rather than forcing it through a channel. Let it flow naturally upward, following your breath."

"Once you've established that connection to your core, we can begin tracing the pathways. Unlike cultivation, where we carve permanent channels for spiritual energy, this is more delicate—like drawing patterns in sand. Watch the path I create in your consciousness, and let your spiritual essence follow where I lead."

In her thoughts, Li Hua saw Little Firefly's warm light begin to move, leaving trails of golden radiance that illuminated the pathways through her meridians. Like a celestial brush painting with light, his essence drew delicate patterns that she could follow with her own energy. As she traced these fleeting paths with her spiritual essence, the sensation was exactly as he described—soft and flowing, like drawing in sand rather than carving in stone. A gentle warmth spread through her limbs as she moved, subtle enough that anyone watching would notice nothing unusual in her practiced movements.

It was comforting to know she could strengthen herself this way while maintaining her careful facade, preparing for whatever challenges lay ahead without risking her current stability.