In Hanyu Valley, within Tingxue Pavilion.
Leng Qianqiu, dressed in a plain white palace gown, sat upright upon a cold jade cattail mat.
Opposite her sat her prized disciple, Xiao Bieli.
A trace of agitation lingered between Xiao Bieli's brows. He had just failed an attempt to break through to Gang Jin and was now listening to his master's instruction.
"...Therefore, when drawing qi into the body, your mind must be like bedrock, without the slightest wavering. Your failure was not due to a lack of ability, but because your spirit had not fully settled. At the final moment, your fear of the violent washing of Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi caused your true qi to stall slightly, and thus all your efforts fell short at the last step."
Leng Qianqiu's voice was calm, yet every word struck at the crux of Xiao Bieli's failure.
Xiao Bieli drew a deep breath, striving to calm his emotions, and said respectfully, "This disciple understands. My cultivation of the heart was insufficient, and I have disappointed Master."
Leng Qianqiu shook her head slightly. "Disappointment is too strong a word. Breaking through to Gang Jin is difficult by nature; one failure is perfectly ordinary. If you can draw a lesson from it, temper your temperament, and solidify your foundation, your chances next time will instead be much greater. It is only a pity..."
Her tone paused slightly, and a trace of regret flashed through her eyes. "If you had a Gang Condensing Pill now to steady your mind and harmonize your yuan qi, your chances of success in your next attempt should increase by more than fifty percent."
"A Gang Condensing Pill?"
Xiao Bieli raised his head, longing and confusion in his eyes. "If this pill is so miraculous, why does the sect not..."