The cave is dimly lit, the air cool and still as Li Wei's gaze falls upon the stones. Their surfaces are smooth, glinting faintly in the muted light. He picks one up, intrigued by the pulsating qi he senses within. The sensation is reminiscent of a Grade 1 bone pill, and curiosity gets the better of him.
He brings the stone to his mouth, considering the possibility of consuming it like a pill. Tentatively, he nibbles at the edge. The surface is hard, and a sharp pain shoots through his teeth, causing him to recoil. Frustrated, he turns the stone over in his hands, its texture rough against his skin.
Determined to tap into the stone's potential, he decides to try a different approach. Li Wei sits cross-legged on the cold cave floor, the stone resting in his palms. He closes his eyes, focusing his mind and centering his breath. His fingers curl around the stone, seeking to draw its energy into his being.
With a steady breath, Li Wei concentrates on the connection between his palms and the stone. He visualises the qi flowing from the stone into his hands, imagining it as a current of energy moving through his body. Slowly, deliberately, he directs the qi towards his bones.
The process is slow. He feels the qi seep from the stone into his body, a gentle flow rather than the explosive rush from bone pills. He maintains his concentration, guiding the energy into his bones, feeling it integrate with his own qi. Time passes unnoticed as he works, the stone's glow dimming gradually.
Hours slip by, each breath drawing more qi into his body. The energy is dense, requiring patience to absorb fully. He feels the steady progress, his bones soaking up the qi, becoming stronger. The process is laborious but satisfying, the stone gradually losing its luminosity.
Almost a whole day passes. Li Wei remains focused, ignoring fatigue. The stone's energy is vast, far exceeding what he would gain from unranked pills. He senses his cultivation advancing, each moment bringing him closer. His body, accustomed to quick, intense bursts of energy, responds to this gradual influx with an almost impatient hunger. It craves the feast-like satisfaction that pills provide, yet must settle for these steady, prolonged nibbles of qi.
As the stone finally dims completely, Li Wei feels a surge of accomplishment. The stone is now a dull, lifeless object, its qi fully transferred to him. He opens his eyes, feeling the difference within. His bones are denser, his qi stronger and more refined. The process, though time-consuming, has yielded significant results.
Li Wei sets the spent stone aside and picks up another. The day's effort has proven the value of these stones, and he is eager to continue. He holds the second stone, ready to repeat the process, knowing the path to power requires patience and perseverance. Each stone represents a step forward, a tangible boost to his cultivation.
As he begins the process again. The steady absorption of qi is a reminder of his dedication, each moment spent strengthening his foundation.
Li Wei immerses himself in the task, drawing on his determination to push forward. The slow, deliberate work of absorbing qi is a meditation, a testament to his commitment to growth.
As night falls, Li Wei continues his cultivation, the second stone gradually dimming in his hands.
Li Wei holds the second stone, feeling its energy pulsate through his fingertips. He sits cross-legged, his focus entirely on drawing the qi from the stone into his body. The energy seeping into him, merging with his own qi.
Hours pass, the stone gradually dimming as Li Wei continues. The qi flows steadily, filling him with a profound sense of strength and stability. each wave of qi bringing him closer to a breakthrough.
As the night progresses, the stone's glow fades further, but Li Wei remains patient. He guides the qi meticulously, ensuring it integrates smoothly with his own. His breathing is steady, each inhalation drawing in more energy, each exhalation releasing any impurities.
His body begins to hum with power, the qi circulating through his meridians with increasing intensity. He feels a subtle shift within, a sign that his cultivation is nearing a critical point. The energy from the stone is vast, and he uses it to push his limits, expanding his capacity for qi.
Li Wei's senses sharpen, his awareness extending beyond his physical form. He can feel the qi around him, the natural energy of the world blending with his own. The boundary between his body and the external qi blurs, and he realises he is on the verge of a breakthrough.
The stone rests in his hands, almost completely dull now, its vibrant energy nearly depleted. With a deep breath, he channels the last remnants of qi into his dantian, feeling each pulse travel through his bones. It's akin to the tingling sensation when the hairs on one's skin prick up, a subtle yet profound awareness that something is about to shift. He knows the moment has come.
He focuses all his intent on breaking through, directing the qi to shatter the barrier holding him back. The energy swells, building to a crescendo. His body tenses, every fibre of his being concentrated on this singular task.
With a final push, the barrier breaks. A wave of energy floods through him, transforming his qi into a more refined and potent force.
The stone's energy reaches its zenith, and as the final surge courses through his body, a sudden and intense release follows. A torrent of dark, viscous liquid pours out of him, carrying impurities with it. The sensation is overwhelming, akin to the intense relief of a climax followed by an overstimulation that leaves him breathless.
The liquid flows in rivulets down his skin, pooling on the cave floor. As the flow subsides, a strange emptiness follows, leaving him feeling raw and exposed. No more liquid comes forth, signalling that the purification process is complete. His body feels cleaner, lighter, as though a great weight has been lifted from him.
The cave is filled with the pungent odour of impurities, but he is too exhausted and elated to care. His skin tingles, the remnants of energy dancing along his bones. The cleansing process has left him both invigorated and spent, a paradoxical mix of fatigue and newfound vitality. The experience leaves him in a state of reflective calm, aware of the power of the stone and the profound change it has wrought within him.
Li Wei feels a profound change within, his cultivation advancing to a new level. The sensation is overwhelming, a mix of relief, triumph, and awe.
He opens his eyes, the cave around him appearing sharper and more vibrant. The breakthrough to Foundation Establishment is complete. The empty stone lies in his hand, a testament to his perseverance and dedication.
Li Wei takes a moment to savour the achievement, his body thrumming with newfound power. He stands, feeling lighter yet more grounded, every movement infused with strength. The path of cultivation is arduous, but this milestone reaffirms his resolve.
He looks at the remaining stones, the manuals, and the bow with its luminous string. Each represents a step forward, tools and knowledge that will aid him on his journey. With renewed determination, Li Wei prepares to continue his training, knowing that greater challenges and rewards lie ahead.
Exhaustion overcomes Li Wei as he lies down, his body sinking into the bedroll. His eyes close, and he drifts into a deep sleep. The darkness of sleep soon gives way to a dream, vivid and haunting.
He finds himself in a vast, echoing necropolis made entirely of bones. The sky above is a swirling mass of grey clouds, and the air is thick with an eerie silence. The ground beneath his feet crunches with every step, the sound echoing through the desolate landscape. Rows upon rows of bone structures rise around him, forming arches and columns that stretch endlessly into the distance.
The bones are of all shapes and sizes, some clearly human, others belonging to creatures he cannot identify. Skulls stare at him from every angle, their hollow eyes seeming to follow his movements. Ribcages form the walls of narrow corridors, and femurs and tibias create intricate patterns on the ground.
As he walks, the whispers of the departed fill the air. They are faint at first, like the rustling of leaves, but they grow louder, surrounding him in a cacophony of voices. Each whisper carries a story, a fragment of a life long gone. He cannot make out the words, but the tone is mournful, filled with sorrow and regret.
Li Wei's heart pounds in his chest as he moves deeper into the necropolis. The air grows colder, the whispers more insistent. He feels a chill run down his spine, a sense of dread settling in his bones. The structures around him become more elaborate, towering above him like monuments to the dead.