Arjun took a deep breath as he stood in front of a polished bronze mirror, studying his reflection. The face staring back at him was unfamiliar, with sharp features and almond-shaped eyes that held a hint of determination. He had always been somewhat average-looking back in his previous life, but this new face had an air of quiet strength. It was a face that commanded respect—or at least, it should have.
He had spent the last few hours trying to acclimate himself to this new world, piecing together whatever fragments of memory his new body still held. The Jade Cloud Sect was a mid-sized sect, not among the most powerful, but well-regarded for its foundational teachings. And the body he now inhabited belonged to Li Wei, a promising disciple on the verge of his Foundation Establishment.
The problem was, Li Wei had apparently been stuck at the peak of Qi Refining for the past year, unable to break through to the next stage. The upcoming Foundation Establishment ceremony was his last chance to prove himself. If he failed, he'd be relegated to a life of mediocrity, forever trapped at the lowest levels of cultivation.
Arjun knew he had to take this seriously. This world was not a game, and failure had real consequences. But how was he supposed to reach Foundation Establishment in a week when he barely understood the basics of cultivation?
He sat down on the mat, trying to calm his racing thoughts. Meditation, he thought. That's what cultivators do to refine their Qi, right? Arjun closed his eyes and tried to focus on his breathing, but it was difficult. His mind was too scattered, too overwhelmed by the enormity of his situation.
"Think, Arjun. What do you know about cultivation?" he whispered to himself, trying to piece together the fragments of knowledge he had gathered from web novels and vague memories from Li Wei's body.
Qi Refining was the first stage. It involved gathering and refining spiritual energy from the world, integrating it into the body to strengthen the physical and spiritual foundations. Arjun understood the concept in theory, but actually doing it was another matter.
He opened his eyes and looked around the small room, his gaze falling on a set of jade slips resting on a wooden table. These slips were engraved with cultivation techniques and exercises, the foundational knowledge of the Jade Cloud Sect. If he was going to survive here, he needed to learn—and fast.
Arjun picked up one of the jade slips, holding it carefully as he placed it against his forehead. The slip contained the basics of a breathing technique called [Jade Serpent's Breath], designed to refine and circulate Qi within the body. He needed to master it if he was to have any chance at reaching Foundation Establishment.
Sitting cross-legged, Arjun closed his eyes again and began to follow the instructions from the jade slip. The technique involved a series of controlled inhalations and exhalations, each one synchronized with the flow of Qi through specific meridian channels.
At first, the process felt awkward, as if he were trying to navigate an unfamiliar road in the dark. But he persisted, focusing on the feeling of energy within his body. It was faint, almost imperceptible, but with each breath, he could sense it moving.
[Comprehension Talent Improved.]
The system's prompt was a small reassurance that he was on the right path. Arjun continued to practice the technique, pushing through the initial discomfort. He could feel the Qi gathering in his dantian, slowly but surely becoming more refined.
But he knew this wasn't enough. Simply going through the motions wouldn't get him far. He needed to truly understand the technique, to grasp its essence. Why was it called the Jade Serpent's Breath? What was the significance behind the name?
As he pondered these questions, an idea began to form in his mind. The serpent was a symbol of flexibility and adaptability, qualities that were crucial in cultivation. The breath of the serpent was smooth, unbroken, and continuous, just like the flow of Qi should be. This understanding deepened his connection with the technique.
The more he practiced, the more the Qi in his body began to respond. It moved more freely, more smoothly, circulating through his meridians with greater efficiency.
[Comprehension Talent Improved. Jade Serpent's Breath Technique Mastered.]
Arjun opened his eyes, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. He had done it. Not only had he learned the technique, but he had also comprehended its deeper meaning. This was just the first step, but it was a crucial one.
He stood up, feeling a newfound strength in his body. His Qi was more refined, his mind clearer, and his resolve stronger. The path ahead was still long and uncertain, but for the first time since arriving in this world, Arjun felt like he could face it head-on.
The Foundation Establishment ceremony was in a week. It was time to prepare.