A Bittersweet Reward

Despite my efforts during the battle against the monstrous beasts, the city of Azureedge had paid a heavy price. Many mortals had lost their lives, and even some of my friends from the marketplace had fallen in the fight. The weight of their deaths weighed heavily on my heart, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt and loss.

As I wandered through the city, lost in my thoughts, I was suddenly approached by a group of guards bearing the emblem of Azureedge's city administration. They informed me that my actions during the battle had caught the attention of the higher-ups, and I had been summoned to meet with them.

With a mix of curiosity and apprehension, I followed the guards to the city administration building, a grand, imposing structure that towered over the surrounding area. As we entered the building, I couldn't help but feel out of place, surrounded by the opulence and grandeur of the place.

I was led to a lavish chamber, where several high-ranking officials sat, their expressions a mix of curiosity and scrutiny. The head official, a middle-aged man with a stern expression, addressed me with a nod.

"Young man, we have heard of your courage and skill during the recent attack on our city. Your actions saved many lives and contributed significantly to the defense of Azureedge," he said, his voice firm but acknowledging my efforts.

Despite the praise, I couldn't help but feel a bitter taste in my mouth, knowing that so many others had lost their lives. "I did what I could," I replied, my voice heavy with emotion. "But so many still died, including friends from my workplace."

The official's expression softened slightly, as he acknowledged the truth of my words. "Yes, it is a tragedy that we lost so many. However, it is important to recognize and encourage those who fought bravely and showed great potential. You have proven yourself to be one such individual."

With that, he gestured to a guard, who brought forth a scroll sealed with a wax emblem. "We have decided to award you with this cultivation technique, in recognition of your efforts and as an investment in your potential. We hope that it will aid you in your continued growth as a cultivator."

I hesitated for a moment, my emotions a confusing mix of gratitude and lingering sorrow. In the end, I accepted the scroll, knowing that it could help me grow stronger and better protect those around me in the future.

"Thank you," I said quietly, my voice tinged with determination. "I promise to use this technique to become stronger and to prevent such tragedies from happening again."

As I walked away from the city administration building, I couldn't help but feel curious about the cultivation technique I had been awarded. Once I found a secluded spot in a quiet park, I carefully unrolled the scroll, eager to uncover the secrets it held.

The technique was named the "Heavenly Gale Step," a movement technique that promised to greatly enhance a cultivator's agility and speed. As I studied the intricate diagrams and detailed instructions, I could tell that this was an advanced technique, something that would greatly benefit me in future battles.

The Heavenly Gale Step relied on the harmonious flow of Qi through the cultivator's meridians, allowing them to perform astonishing feats of agility and move with the speed and grace of the wind. When mastered, the technique would enable the user to evade even the most skilled opponents, making them a formidable force on the battlefield.

As I continued to study the scroll, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards the city administration for bestowing me with such a valuable technique. While I still felt the pain of losing my friends, I knew that this gift would help me protect others in the future and prevent further tragedies from occurring.

With renewed determination, I decided to dedicate myself to mastering the Heavenly Gale Step, making it an integral part of my cultivation journey. As I carefully tucked the scroll into my bag, I knew that the path ahead would be filled with challenges and hardships, but I was ready to face them head-on, bolstered by the knowledge and power that the Heavenly Gale Step would grant me.