It was another early morning.
Dawn had barely broken, and mist still drifted through the mountains.
The Red Panda Assistant Instructor led the five of them toward the back mountain.
They passed through a lush bamboo grove and came upon a crystal-clear spring pool.
Steam rose faintly from the water. All kinds of spirit vegetables and wild mushrooms soaked inside, their leaves bright and caps plump, brimming with life.
"Today's trial is called Clean Spring Ingredient Washing."
The Red Panda Assistant Instructor stood beside the pool, hands behind his back, his expression stern.
"Take these ingredients out of the spring and wash them clean."
"There's only one rule—use Xiewei to protect their vitality. No brute force."
"Press a little too hard or let your mind wander, and their vitality will scatter. They'll rot on the spot."
With that, he motioned for a red panda disciple to demonstrate.
A red panda stepped forward and reached into the spring.
His movements were as gentle as if he were afraid of waking a sleeping child.
A faint, gentle aura gathered around his fingertips. He wrapped it around a spirit vegetable leaf, slowly lifted it out, then rinsed it with the flow of the water.
Within moments, the dirt had washed clean from the leaf.
Already bright, the leaf now gleamed an even deeper green, more vibrant than when he had first lifted it out.
"See that?"
The Red Panda Assistant Instructor looked at the group.
"Xiewei isn't about exerting strength. It's about using only what you need."
"Be grateful for the ingredients. Hold back every bit of unnecessary force, and you can preserve their vitality."
"Begin."
The five exchanged looks.
It was just washing vegetables. It sounded easier than Bean-Picking or lighting candles.
Gon went first. He crouched beside the pool and reached