"Now, stand here beside me, and don't be scared. Your body seems to be tougher than I thought." Shi Mi said.

Shun came forward and stood beside Shi Min, his face reflecting Shi Min's intense focus.

"Now, open your palm like this. You might prefer to close your eyes since you're still learning," Shi Min instructed."

Shun followed Shi Min's stance.

"Focus the way you focus while you are cultivating. Find the 'Qi' in your body and channel it to your palm until you feel the fire." Shi Min instructed.

The forest seemed to hold its breath as Shun concentrated. It took nearly six hours of intense focus before Shun finally summoned the fire into his palm. He opened his eyes, marveling at the heat he felt.

Shi Min was ecstatic. 'Damn, he is good, and it only took him hours to summon his power.'

"A little bit more," Shi Min encouraged when he saw Shun producing the fire in his palm.

"Now, throw it with your internal energy," Shi Min instructed.

Shun obeyed, and a fiery blast echoed through the forest.

BANG!!!

It could be said that it was not even one-tenth compared to Shi Min's fire. But both of them were already more than satisfied.

Shi Min waved his hand to extinguish the fire.

"That's great. Now that you can summon the fire, what is lacking is the energy that comes with it. And this will eventually grow as you cultivate your body." Shi Min said, pride evident in his voice. "Do it again."

Shun's thrill with his newfound skill was unmistakable. The fire danced in his palm, a testament to the potential within. And with Shi Min's guidance, he was ready to unleash it.

Meanwhile, Ling Li stayed home to finish some papers. The house was quiet except for the rhythmic sound of her pen on paper, a stark contrast to the impending turmoil in her mind. After tying up loose ends, Ling Li decided to pay a visit to her in-laws' house, seeking both comfort and answers.

"Ling, what a pleasant surprise! Come in," Mrs. Xu greeted her with a warm smile and an even warmer hug.

"Thank you, mother-in-law," Ling Li responded, embracing the familiar warmth.

"Honey, Ling is here. Come out," Mrs. Xu called out to her husband, her voice filled with joy.

"Ling, we just ended swimming, and your father-in-law just finished showering. And thank you for all the care you are giving us," Mrs. Xu added, her gratitude genuine and heartfelt.

Mr. Xu emerged from the room, his face lighting up at the sight of his diligent daughter-in-law. "My wife is right, Ling. You are very good to us, and we are grateful for your generosity," he said, his eyes twinkling with appreciation.

"Don't thank me too much. We are family. This is what Chu Yan and I should do," Ling Li replied, her voice steady yet humble.

Mrs. Xu, sensing something more profound behind Ling's visit, leaned in closer. "Ling, you must have something in your mind to visit us. Did Chu Yan bully you? Tell me, and I will discipline him," she exclaimed, her protective nature coming to the fore.

Ling Li giggled at her mother-in-law's fervor. "No, no, no. Chu Yan didn't bully me. I am here to ask you something," she answered, her tone shifting to one of gravity.

"Oh, what is it?" Mrs. Xu's curiosity was piqued.

"Please don't be scared by my question or feel offended," Ling Li said calmly, taking a deep breath. She glanced at her in-laws, knowing that this conversation was inevitable. Ling's hesitation did not go unnoticed.

"Ling, just ask anything, and we will give you our best answer," Mr. Xu reassured her, his voice kind and patient.

Ling nodded, steeling herself for the delicate conversation that lay ahead.

"Does any of your family members have black magic?" Ling Li asked nervously, her voice barely above a whisper. Though she was usually composed, facing her in-laws with such a question made her anxious; the last thing she wanted was to offend them.

Upon hearing Ling Li's question, Mr. and Mrs. Xu exchanged a puzzled glance. The room felt suddenly tense.

"Can you tell us why you are asking?" Mr. Xu inquired gently.

Ling Li pursed her lips. She wasn't sure if she should mention Four Eyes' black magic, unsure of how they would react.

Seeing her hesitation, Mr. Xu cleared his throat, trying to ease her nerves. "Ling, does Chu Yan have black magic?" he asked.

Mr. Xu's direct question took aback Ling Li. She nodded, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders but replaced quickly by uncertainty.

Mr. Xu's expression turned solemn, and he lowered his gaze to the floor and finally said, "Ling, my grandfather practiced black magic. I have two brothers. We were triplets, but they both passed away at a very young age because they couldn't control their powers. They wanted to practice like our grandfather."

Mr. Xu paused, the pain of those memories evident in his eyes. "Our grandfather kept reminding them that it wasn't easy and that they should have pure intentions; otherwise, the evil behind black magic would consume them. And it probably did."

Ling Li listened intently, astonished by the revelation.

Mrs. Xu joined the conversation, her voice soft and nostalgic. "Ling, my mother was a shaman. They said she had this kind of magic, too. But I was very young when she died, so I didn't learn much from her."

Ling Li was even more stunned. 'No wonder Four Eyes' black magic is so potent,' she thought. Ling Li doesn't know if she wants to laugh or cry at the irony.

"Don't worry too much. I will help Chu Yan control his black magic," Ling Li assured the elderly couple with a determined smile, who she noticed had become emotional.

Mr. Xu's eyes welled up with tears. "I trust you will," he said, his voice choked with emotion.

"Father-in-law, why are you crying?" Ling Li asked softly.

Shaking his head, he replied, "I didn't expect my son to have black magic. I hope his fate is better than my brothers'."

Ling Li placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "Father-in-law, Chu Yan will definitely be far from them. I assure you."

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