Li Wei turns away from the structure, determined to leave this place. He moves quickly, the whispers fading as he distances himself. The necropolis seems endless, but he pushes forward, driven by a desperate need to escape.
Li Wei struggles through the dreamscape, feeling the oppressive weight of the bone structures towering over him. They look like spectres, casting long, eerie shadows. Just as he thinks he sees a glimmer of light in the distance, hope shattering the bleakness, the ground shifts beneath him.
Suddenly, bone hands spring from the earth, skeletal fingers clawing at him with a desperate hunger. They latch onto his limbs with cold, unyielding strength, dragging him back into the depths of the nightmare.
Panic surges through him as he tries to wrench free, but the bony grip only tightens, pulling him further into the abyss. The hands are relentless, each finger digging into his flesh as if trying to fuse with him, to make him a part of this twisted realm.
The light grows faint, a distant beacon being snuffed out by the encroaching darkness. Fear courses through him, sharp and paralysing, as he fights against the bone prison trying to claim him. His breaths come in ragged gasps, the air heavy with a metallic taste, as though the dream itself is consuming him.
With a final, desperate surge of will, he breaks free, the hands shattering like brittle glass. He runs, heart pounding, the skeletal fingers still reaching for him in vain. The light flares again, guiding him out of the nightmare's grip.
He bursts through into consciousness, waking in his cave, drenched in sweat and trembling. The oppressive weight of the dream clings to him, a scar etched deep within his mind that refuses to fade, a reminder of the darkness he narrowly escaped.
Li Wei sits up, shaking off the remnants of the dream. He takes a deep breath, steadying his thoughts. The necropolis, the whispers, and the purple bone structure fade as he focuses on the present. He feels a surge of pride and relief. Finally, he has reached Foundation Establishment. The power coursing through him is palpable, and with it comes a sense of security he hasn't felt in a long time.
He stands, stretching his limbs, and begins to plan his next steps. The priority is to get the inner disciple robe and inform the Internal Affairs Hall of his breakthrough. This will exempt him from further sect assessments. The thought of being free from the dangerous tasks that have plagued him is a significant relief.
Li Wei knows the rules well. Foundation Establishment cultivators are forbidden from killing one another, which means Senior Huo cannot openly attack him. This new status offers a layer of protection, a buffer against the constant threats. However, he remains wary. Senior Huo might not be able to act openly, but underhanded tactics are not out of the question.
The memory of the dream lingers at the edge of his mind, unsettling and persistent. The sensation of those bone hands grasping at him, pulling him toward an endless abyss, sends a shiver down his spine. It felt too real, as if it were a warning of what could happen if he falters. Though he tries to shake it off, the dream's shadow clings to him.
Li Wei turns his attention to the manuals, eager to uncover the knowledge within. He begins with the first one, flipping through its pages. The Silent Water Technique catches his eye. It involves drawing qi from meditating near a body of water, a method unfamiliar to him. The text explains that by sitting close to a river, lake, or even a pond, one can absorb the serene and flowing energy of the water. This technique promises a steady, calming influx of qi, enhancing internal stability and strength.
[Detected cultivation technique 'Silent Water Technique'. Meditate near a body of water to draw in its qi, enhancing internal strength.
[Modification Suggestion: Create a 'Water Qi Gathering Array' using five smooth river stones inscribed with Liu, Jing, He, Zhuan, Qiang runes. Place the stones in a circular formation around the water source. Visualise the water's qi flowing into the array, forming a vortex that channels qi directly into your dantian. Breathe deeply and rhythmically in sync with the flow. This method increases qi absorption by 60% and reduces meditation time by half. Use the array at dawn and dusk for optimal results.]
Li Wei's heart races with excitement. The system's notification about the 'Silent Water Technique' fills him with renewed vigour. Since the last time it provided insight with 'Skeletal Essence Absorption,' he had been waiting for such guidance.
"So, the system only enhances cultivation techniques," he thinks, feeling a rush of anticipation. "What other techniques can I get my hands on? Which one is the most powerful?"
His mind buzzes with possibilities. "I need to find more techniques. The most powerful ones, the rarest ones. Anything to give me an edge," he muses, his thoughts a mix of greed and strategy. "Where can I find them? Old scrolls? Hidden sects? The right technique could make all the difference."
"But the sect must closely guard all the good techniques," he thinks, frowning slightly. "Otherwise, what's the point of a sect? And how did the leader ascend to heights I can't reach in a hundred lifetimes? There must be secrets they are keeping, hidden techniques and treasures."
The possibilities seem endless, and his mind races with thoughts of how he might find these techniques and unlock their secrets. "The journey ahead is filled with potential," he thinks, feeling a surge of hope. "If I can get the right techniques, nothing can stop me."
He turns to the second manual. The title, Moon Blade, intrigues him. As he reads, he realises this is the technique used by the White Crane disciple with the luminous blue scythes. The manual details how to condense qi into a sharp, crescent-shaped blade. The process involves focusing qi into the fingertips, then shaping it into a blade that can be hurled at enemies. The technique is powerful and versatile, suitable for both offence and defence.
Li Wei studies the diagrams closely, noting the precise hand movements and concentration required to form the Moon Blade. The text describes how the blade's strength and sharpness depend on the purity and control of the practitioner's qi. He practises the initial hand positions, feeling the familiar tingling of qi at his fingertips. The manual suggests practising under the moonlight to harness the lunar energy, enhancing the blade's potency.
Li Wei examines the techniques from the manuals, feeling a pang of uncertainty. They originate from a righteous sect, and he is acutely aware that using such techniques could have unforeseen consequences. "What if there are rules against this?" he thinks. "Or worse, what if there's some kind of backlash?"
His mind races with possibilities. "The system won't optimise this," he considers, "but the Moon Blade could still be useful." He frowns, thinking about the White Crane disciple. "If they find out I'm using their techniques, there could be trouble. But if I master this, it could give me an edge."
He sets the manual aside and picks up the bow, curious about its potential. He channels his qi into the bow, drawing back the luminous blue string. An arrow of condensed qi forms, glowing faintly.
He releases the string, and the arrow flies straight into the cave wall, leaving a small indentation. He watches the impact thoughtfully. "Hm, I don't know if this is stronger than Bone Blade, but at least it doesn't hurt my hands," he mutters. He looks down at his hands, focusing on his index finger. The end is stripped of flesh, exposing bone. The constant damage from using his bone-based techniques has prevented the flesh from regenerating.
Li Wei's gaze shifts to a nearby pail of water. He peers into it, catching his reflection. The sight is unsettling. His face is gaunt, and he is missing an ear. His fingers are mutilated, the skin rough and scarred. He looks horrifying, a stark contrast to the person he once was. The reflection staring back at him is disgusting and foreign.
He sighs, pushing aside the water and standing up. The cave is quiet, the only sounds being his own movements. He feels a mix of frustration and determination. His current techniques are effective but brutal on his body. He needs to find a way to strengthen himself without causing further harm.
He picks up the bow again, determined to master its use. The qi arrow didn't cause him any physical pain, which is a significant advantage. He practises forming and shooting qi arrows, each shot more precise than the last. The cave walls soon bear numerous marks from his practice.