Wei opened the second match with a feint toward Yan’s left side. Yan began Withering Torrent, but the practice floor shifted under his feet. His first burst landed on empty sand.
The method’s own backlash became strength and clearer channels. The missed strike still cost qi and attention. Wei retreated through a second line, drawing Yan forward instead of giving him a direct target.
The students watched Yan’s hands and the floor at the same time. Mao noticed that the markers shifted just before Wei’s next feint.
“Those two move together,” he called.
Yan looked at the pattern. Wei moved two markers at once, testing whether Yan would follow a false line. He did not. He let the first feint pass, then sent a burst at the opening he thought was real.
Wei slid the screen. The strike hit the sand bank.
Yan had spent energy on a false opening, though his body remained unharmed and stronger from the art. Wei advanced behind the shield line. Yan moved to defend instead of answering with another blast.
The bout paused. Qinghe stayed at the edge, watching, but did not interrupt. Yan admitted he had spent more qi than the fight required.
