After successfully synchronizing their energies, Yuan Jin and Hu Xue entered the next stage of the Yin-Yang Cultivation Method—using their harmonized energy as an attack technique.
Aether stood before them with her arms crossed, her gaze sharp as if testing whether they were truly ready. "You've managed to synchronize Yin and Yang, but that was only the first step. Now it's time to prove whether you can use this energy in battle."
Hu Xue tightened her hairband, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Finally, the fun part! I can't wait to try it out!"
Yuan Jin gave a faint smile. "I'm also curious to see how this new power works in combat."
Aether raised a finger, and in an instant, the air around them changed. A tremendous spiritual pressure emerged, creating a small storm that made their clothes flutter. "First, you must be able to channel Yin-Yang energy into a stable attack. If it's too weak, your attack will have no impact. If it's too strong, you will suffer the backlash."
Hu Xue formed a golden fireball in her hand. "Alright, let's get started!"
Yuan Jin felt a cold energy flow within his body. He raised his hand, forming a pulsating blue energy sphere. He could sense the balance between Yin and Yang within him, but the moment he tried to merge his energy sphere with Hu Xue's, a small explosion erupted, pushing them both backward.
"Ugh!" Yuan Jin landed on one knee, while Hu Xue stood slightly unsteady.
Aether shook her head. "You still don't understand the essence of Yin-Yang. It's not just about merging two different energies but also about knowing when to suppress and when to release."
Hu Xue scowled. "So we have to completely unite in our attack?"
"Exactly," Aether replied. "Yin and Yang must not fight for dominance. They must rotate in harmony."
Yuan Jin closed his eyes, trying to grasp Aether's words. He recalled how their energies had aligned during meditation. Perhaps the key wasn't to force their energies to merge but to let them flow naturally.
He turned to Hu Xue. "Let's try again. This time, we won't force our energies to combine but let them find their own balance."
Hu Xue nodded. They both raised their hands once more, this time more calmly. Yuan Jin allowed his Yin energy to flow gently, while Hu Xue adjusted her Yang energy accordingly.
Then, something extraordinary happened. Their energies no longer clashed or exploded. Instead, they began to swirl around each other, forming a vortex of blue and golden light that merged into one.
Aether smiled. "Good. Now, use that technique to attack me."
Yuan Jin and Hu Xue exchanged glances before nodding. In unison, they launched the Yin-Yang vortex toward Aether.
Aether remained in place, raising just one hand. As the vortex approached, she formed a seal in the air and deflected it effortlessly. However, this time, her expression wasn't entirely relaxed—there was a hint of surprise in her eyes.
"Interesting," she murmured. "Your energy is stable now, but it still needs refinement."
Yuan Jin exhaled, feeling slightly exhausted. "So we're still not strong enough?"
Aether gave a faint smile. "Not necessarily. You've only just reached the beginning stage. If you continue training, your Yin-Yang technique could become an attack that even a god would struggle to deflect."
Hu Xue clenched her fists. "In that case, let's keep going! I won't be satisfied until I can make you fight seriously, Aether!"
Aether chuckled. "Good, that's the spirit I want to see. But for now, take a break. The next training session will be much more intense."
Yuan Jin and Hu Xue sat down to recover their energy. They both knew they had just unlocked the gateway to even greater power. And ahead of them, the path to mastering Yin-Yang was still long.
---
After understanding the basics of Yin-Yang energy synchronization and beginning to use it in attacks, Yuan Jin and Hu Xue now faced their next challenge—controlling the Yin-Yang formation.
Aether stood before them with a serious expression. "Your Yin-Yang attacks are good enough, but in real battles, you won't only need direct attacks. You must also be able to use Yin and Yang in the form of a formation, allowing your energy to flow more stably and effectively."
Yuan Jin narrowed his eyes. "A formation? Like an energy array?"
Aether nodded. "Exactly. The Yin-Yang Formation is a technique that allows you to create an energy field that supports your combat. If you master it, you will have your own battlefield that strengthens you and weakens your enemies."
Hu Xue smirked confidently. "Alright! How do we start?"
Aether raised her hand, and in an instant, ancient symbols appeared in the air, forming a large circle around them. Golden and blue lights intertwined, spinning like a slow-moving wheel.
"This is a basic Yin-Yang Formation," Aether explained. "Within it, the balance of Yin and Yang remains stable. However, this formation will only last as long as you can control it. If the balance is disturbed, the formation will collapse."
Yuan Jin observed the energy circle around him and tried to feel how the formation worked. He could sense the alternating flow of Yin and Yang in the air, creating a powerful yet harmonious current.
"Your task," Aether continued, "is to create this formation on your own and maintain it for ten minutes. If you can do that, you'll be ready for the next stage."
Hu Xue raised an eyebrow. "Just ten minutes? That sounds easy."
Aether gave a faint smile. "Then go ahead and try."
Without hesitation, Hu Xue began channeling her Yang energy into the air, creating a swirling vortex of golden flames around her. Yuan Jin followed suit, releasing his Yin energy, forming a cold blue mist that wrapped around Hu Xue's fiery vortex.
At first, everything seemed to be going smoothly. The Yin and Yang energies spun in harmony, forming a structure similar to the one Aether had demonstrated. However, within just a minute, the pressure started to build.
Hu Xue's energy surged uncontrollably, making her fire vortex expand rapidly. On the other hand, Yuan Jin's Yin energy began to weaken, unable to counterbalance Hu Xue's rising power.
Boom!
Their formation collapsed, sending a shockwave that pushed them both backward. Hu Xue groaned as she got up, while Yuan Jin wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"What went wrong?" Hu Xue asked, frustrated.
Aether sighed. "Your balance was off. Hu Xue was too aggressive, while Yuan Jin was too defensive. In a Yin-Yang Formation, both sides must move in harmony—neither can dominate."
Yuan Jin pondered for a moment. He knew that he had always been more inclined toward defense, while Hu Xue always took the initiative in attacks. Perhaps this was the barrier between them.
He turned to Hu Xue. "How about we try a different approach? I'll increase my energy slightly while you adjust your rhythm to be steadier."
Hu Xue exhaled but eventually nodded. "Alright, let's try again."
They resumed their meditation stance, pressing their palms together once more. This time, Yuan Jin didn't just defend—he actively adjusted the flow of his Yin energy to be more stable. Meanwhile, Hu Xue restrained herself from overpowering the balance and matched his rhythm.
The result was surprising. Their Yin-Yang Formation was now more stable than before and even felt stronger and more expansive.
Aether smiled. "Good. Now, maintain it for ten minutes."
Even though their formation was more stable, maintaining it was still a significant challenge. They had to constantly adjust their energies every second to ensure the balance remained intact.
Seconds turned into minutes. Sweat began to drip down their faces, but they remained focused.
Five minutes… Six minutes…
At the eighth minute, suddenly, Aether raised her hand and launched an energy attack toward them!
Boom!
A wave of energy crashed into their formation, causing it to tremble violently.
"What are you doing?!" Hu Xue shouted.
Aether gave a faint smile. "In real combat, your formation won't remain untouched. You must be able to maintain it even under attack."
Yuan Jin gritted his teeth and quickly adjusted his energy to withstand Aether's impact. Hu Xue also strengthened her Yang energy, keeping their formation intact.
Nine minutes… Ten minutes…
As the designated time passed, Aether finally lowered her hand and ceased her attack. Their Yin-Yang Formation still stood strong.
Yuan Jin and Hu Xue panted, exhausted, but they had succeeded.
Aether nodded approvingly. "Well done. You have passed this stage. Now, you can begin developing this Yin-Yang Formation to a higher level."
Hu Xue grinned. "Hah… That was harder than I thought."
Yuan Jin also smiled, satisfied with their achievement. They knew their journey was still long, but this was a major step toward true power.
To be continued…