Lin Feng awoke with a start, his eyes snapping open to find Huo Ying standing over him, her face placid. Sweat poured down his back and face as the memories of the ritual flooded back to him. The intricate symbols and drawings on the walls and floor still glowed faintly, their power lingering in the air.
Huo Ying's voice, when she spoke, was devoid of its usual fire. Instead, it was monotone, almost robotic. "The ritual was to safely scour through your Inner Sea, and thus, more precisely, your memories. There will be no lasting effects. This was possible only because of your low cultivation, but it was still successful."
Lin Feng felt a wave of despair crash over him. His thoughts swirled in a chaotic storm of fear and hopelessness. They've seen everything. They know about the system. I'll be a servant for life, or worse, they'll kill me now that they know my secrets.
As he lay there, paralyzed by the weight of his thoughts, Huo Ying did something utterly unexpected. She reached out and placed her hand on his, ruffling his hair with a gentleness that starkly contrasted her earlier demeanor.
"Everything's okay, Lin Feng. I took care of her," she said, her voice softening slightly.
Lin Feng blinked in confusion. Her? Who is she talking about?
"Who?" he managed to croak out, his throat dry.
Huo Ying smiled, a peculiar glint in her eyes. "The Overseer."
Lin Feng's eyes widened in shock. "What? How—"
"I am the Overseer, Lin Feng," she interrupted, her tone calm and reassuring. "I accomplished this thanks to the Gifting System."
Lin Feng's mind reeled. The Overseer? In Huo Ying's body? How is this possible?
As if reading his thoughts, the Overseer, now in Huo Ying's form, continued, "I cannot properly explain it as even I am oblivious to many things, just know that the Gifting System has many capabilities, some of which you have yet to uncover. For now, know that I have control and that you are safe."
The tension in Lin Feng's body began to ease slightly, though his mind was still racing. He slowly sat up, rubbing his wrists where the chains had been. "What happens now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The Overseer, still wearing Huo Ying's guise, helped him to his feet. "Now, you will become apprenticed to me. Officially, you will be my student, and through this, we can continue your training and your quest for power."
Lin Feng felt a mix of relief and apprehension. "But the others... Mei Lan, the guild... won't they question this?"
The Overseer nodded. "They will, but I have already laid the groundwork for your apprenticeship. Mei Lan will be informed that the investigation revealed no wrongdoing on your part. Your origins remain mysterious, but for now, that will be overlooked."
Together, they left the ritual chamber, the Overseer leading the way. As they walked through the dimly lit corridors of the guild, Lin Feng couldn't help but feel the eyes of the other apprentices and Spell Crafters on him. Whispers followed their steps, but no one dared to approach or question them.
Once they reached the main hall, Mei Lan, who was clearly waiting for them, approached quickly. "Huo Ying," she said, her tone laced with concern. "What did you find? Is Lin Feng guilty?"
Huo Ying, now the Overseer in disguise, maintained her fiery demeanor. "No wrongdoing on Lin Feng's part. He's innocent," she said firmly. "As for his origins, he's simply a farmboy from a faraway village who stumbled upon a small treasure that gave him his cultivation."
Mei Lan looked skeptical but seemed to accept the explanation. "A farmboy? It's hard to believe, but I suppose it makes sense. And what about the theft?"
Huo Ying shook her head. "The investigation is ongoing. We have no leads yet, but we will find the thief. In the meantime, I've decided to take Lin Feng as my apprentice."
Mei Lan's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "An apprentice? A lowly servant?"
"Yes," Huo Ying replied, her voice firm. "He shows potential, and I believe he can be of great use. You needn't worry about him any longer."
Mei Lan hesitated but finally nodded. "Very well. If you think it's the right decision. I still need to find my notes, but I trust you'll handle Lin Feng."
With that, Mei Lan turned and walked away, still muttering to herself about the stolen notes. Huo Ying, now the Overseer, led Lin Feng to her private quarters.
Huo Ying's quarters, now claimed by the Overseer, were simple but elegant, with shelves lined with ancient tomes and a large desk covered in scrolls and magical artifacts. The room exuded an air of authority and knowledge.
Lin Feng didn't wait for any further instructions. He immediately began rifling through the books and scrolls, his eyes scanning the pages with a mix of determination and frustration. The Overseer observed him quietly, making herself tea and sipping it gracefully.
"Feel free to explore," the Overseer said nonchalantly. "You might find something useful."
Lin Feng shot her a glare but said nothing. He was too focused on the task at hand, flipping through pages, trying to activate the Heart of True Belief. Yet, no matter how hard he concentrated, the spells eluded him. The frustration built inside him like a storm, and he began tearing through the books with increasing aggression.
"Damn it!" he cursed, ripping a particularly dense tome apart. "Why can't I get this to work?"
The Overseer watched him calmly, her expression unchanged. "Patience, Lin Feng. Not every spell will resonate with you. You must find the ones that truly connect with your Qi and spirit."
Lin Feng growled in frustration, tossing another book aside. He continued his frantic search, tearing through the library like a whirlwind. The more he struggled, the angrier he became, his rage only fueling his determination.
Hours passed, and Lin Feng found himself stuck on a single book: Basic Mathematics for Spell Crafting. The first few pages were simple enough, covering basic arithmetic and algebra. But as he progressed, the content quickly grew more complex, delving into advanced calculus and differential equations. Lin Feng's frustration mounted as he struggled to keep up.
Why is this so complicated? he thought, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. His cultivation should have made his mind sharp enough to easily learn and remember all this stuff, yet he was stuck. What's wrong with me?
Then it hit him. His Inner Sea. It had been broken apart by the Overseer, supposedly to heal it. But now, all he could focus on was how this was likely the reason for his slow progress. He felt a surge of anger well up inside him, his frustration boiling over.
"This is your fault," he spat, glaring at the Overseer. "You broke my Inner Sea. That's why I'm struggling. You did this to me!"
The Overseer raised an eyebrow, her expression unperturbed. "I did what was necessary to heal you, Lin Feng. The process is complex, and it takes time for your mind and body to adjust."
"Adjust?" Lin Feng's voice was a snarl. "I should be making progress, not floundering like an idiot!"
The Overseer took a sip of her tea, her eyes never leaving his. "Your progress is indeed slower than it would be if your Inner Sea were whole. But this is a temporary setback. Once your Inner Sea is fully restored, your abilities will surpass what they were before."
Lin Feng's anger did not abate. "Temporary setback? I don't have time for setbacks. I need results. Now."
"Rage will get you nowhere," the Overseer said calmly. "Focus on the task at hand. The more you fight against it, the harder it will become."
Lin Feng seethed but knew deep down she was right. He had to push through this, even if it felt like he was wading through mud. He turned his attention back to the book, his mind a storm of frustration and determination.
He forced himself to read each line carefully, taking notes, and trying to make sense of the complex equations. The hours dragged on, each minute feeling like an eternity. But slowly, painfully, he began to piece together the concepts.
The Overseer watched him, her expression inscrutable. "You're beginning to understand," she said finally. "Keep going."
"Shut up," Lin Feng muttered, but he didn't stop. He worked through the night, his anger fueling his determination. He would not let this setback defeat him.
Finally, as dawn broke, Lin Feng closed the book, his mind exhausted but slightly more clear. He had barely scratched the surface of the knowledge he needed, but he had made a start. He glared at the Overseer, his eyes filled with a mixture of defiance and exhaustion.
"This isn't over," he said.
The Overseer nodded. "Of course not. It's just the beginning. But you've made progress. That's what matters."
Lin Feng scoffed, standing up. "Whatever. I'll figure this out on my own."
He began to search for more books, determined to find the knowledge he needed. His mind was a whirlwind of frustration and determination, but he would not be defeated. The path to mastering Spell Crafting was long and arduous, but he would walk it, no matter how difficult it became.
The Overseer continued to watch him, her expression calm. "Remember, Lin Feng. The path to power is long and fraught with challenges. You must remain vigilant and never stop questioning."
Lin Feng glanced at her, his eyes hard. "Whatever, you're beginning to repeat yourself, you know."
The Overseer's gaze softened slightly. "Have you been training with your cultivation manual?"
Lin Feng was momentarily stumped. He hadn't given a thought to his cultivation manual since waking up. The realization hit him hard. "You know I can't focus on too many things at once! I have to understand one thing, then the other. I can't fully deliver myself to multiple study fields at once!" His frustration was evident in his voice, but the Overseer understood that his anger was directed more at himself than at her.
"You're only berating yourself for your lack of focus," she said gently.
Lin Feng's jaw clenched. He knew she was right, but he wasn't ready to admit it. Instead, he channeled his frustration into a renewed effort. He picked up a book on Qi anatomy and tried to immerse himself in its contents. At the same time, he conjured shadowy figures inside his Inner Sea and attempted to push theoretical strands of Qi through the figures' theoretical pathways.
To his surprise, it was easier than before. As he read about the intricate pathways of Qi within the human body, he found that his theoretical strands of Qi moved more smoothly. His mind, which had felt sluggish and unfocused earlier, now seemed to be in sync with the text. He could almost visualize the pathways described in the book, and his understanding deepened with each paragraph.
Realizing this newfound synergy, Lin Feng's eyes gleamed with determination. He opened five books at once: Qi Physics, Qi Anatomy, Elemental Physics, Body Anatomy, and Qi Mathematics. He spread them out on the desk before him and began reading, switching from one book to the next in rapid succession.
Qi Physics delved into the nature of Qi and its interactions with the physical world. It covered energy flows, resonance frequencies, and the principles of Qi manipulation. Lin Feng found himself fascinated by the descriptions of how Qi could be harnessed and directed, and he could almost see the energy patterns forming in his mind.
Qi Anatomy provided a detailed look at the human body's meridians, dantian, and acupoints. It explained how Qi flowed through these channels and how it could be manipulated to enhance one's abilities. Lin Feng's understanding of his own body deepened as he visualized the pathways within his theoretical figures, pushing strands of Qi through them with increasing ease.
Elemental Physics explored the interactions between Qi and the natural elements. It described how different types of Qi could resonate with fire, water, earth, wind, and other elements. Lin Feng's mind raced as he read about the harmonics of elemental Qi, and he began to see how he could integrate these principles into his cultivation.
Body Anatomy was a comprehensive study of the human body from a cultivator's perspective. It detailed the physical and energetic structures that supported Qi flow and how different body types could influence one's cultivation. Lin Feng's theoretical figures became more complex as he incorporated this new knowledge, creating more accurate and efficient pathways for Qi.
Qi Mathematics covered the mathematical principles underlying Qi manipulation. It included equations and algorithms that described energy flows, resonance frequencies, and the optimization of Qi pathways. Lin Feng's mind worked furiously to grasp these concepts, and he found that his understanding of the other subjects improved as well.
As Lin Feng read, he felt himself progressing as he had never done before. The theoretical strand of Qi moved through various pathways at breakneck speed, failing numerous times but finding possible solutions almost immediately. His understanding of each book became more profound, and his reading pace quickened. He was practically flipping through the pages, absorbing the information at an astonishing rate.
The room around him faded as he delved deeper into his studies. He lost track of time, his entire being focused on the knowledge before him. The books became an extension of his mind, their contents flowing into him like a river of understanding. The theoretical figures in his Inner Sea became more refined, their pathways more intricate and efficient.
The Overseer watched silently, her expression one of quiet satisfaction. She could see the transformation taking place within Lin Feng. His frustration and anger had given way to a relentless drive for knowledge and mastery. The synergy between his studies and his cultivation was remarkable, and she knew that he was on the verge of a significant breakthrough.
Lin Feng's mind raced with possibilities. The strands of Qi moved with increasing precision, navigating the pathways with an almost intuitive understanding. He visualized the interactions between Qi and the elements, the mathematical principles guiding the energy flows, and the anatomical structures supporting the entire process. It all began to make sense, each piece of knowledge fitting into the larger puzzle of his cultivation.
Suddenly, he felt a surge of clarity. The theoretical strand of Qi completed its journey through the figure's pathways, flowing seamlessly from one point to the next. The figure didn't collapse this time; instead, it radiated with a subtle, powerful energy.
A notification from the system appeared:
First Theory reached, Qi quality +50%.
Lin Feng's response to this momentous achievement was a grunt and a weird look of disapproval. He barely glanced at the notification before delving back into the books, his mind already churning with the next set of challenges he needed to tackle.
The Overseer observed Lin Feng's reaction and sighed inwardly. It's worse than before, she thought. Prior to the ritual, he had a somewhat loose grasp on his personality and thoughts, but now it's all come crashing down. I must find a way to accelerate the healing process...
With this resolve, the Overseer walked over to Lin Feng, who didn't even acknowledge her presence. She began to scan the shelves, searching for a specific set of books. Her fingers brushed over various volumes before settling on a few dilapidated tomes. These books, old and worn, contained theories about the intricacies of the Inner Sea. Most of the content within them consisted of wild speculations and the fruitless endeavors of researchers over hundreds of years, but she hoped to find some kernel of wisdom that could help accelerate Lin Feng's healing process.
The first book she picked up was titled Mysteries of the Inner Sea: Uncharted Waters. It was filled with speculative theories about the nature of the Inner Sea and its potential for limitless power. The Overseer knew that much of the content was likely nonsense, but she needed to explore every possible avenue. She flipped through the pages, skimming the more outlandish claims and focusing on the sections that seemed grounded in practical research.
Lin Feng, meanwhile, was buried in his own studies, oblivious to the Overseer's efforts. He had opened multiple books at once and was switching between them in rapid succession. As he read, he conjured shadowy figures inside his Inner Sea and pushed theoretical strands of Qi through their pathways. Strangely, it was easier than before. The synergy between his reading and his cultivation was undeniable, and he found himself understanding the books more easily as he progressed.
Hours passed, and day turned to night. The Overseer continued to sift through the old tomes, her mind working furiously. She needed to find a way to accelerate Lin Feng's healing process. The previous fracturing of his Inner Sea during his rage-fueled attempts to progress had left it fragmented, and while it would eventually heal on its own, she knew that Lin Feng's current state of mind was too unstable to wait for natural recovery.
Just as she was about to start preparing a potential solution, the door to the office swung open, and one of Huo Ying's servants entered, pushing both Lin Feng and the Overseer out of their deep state of concentration.
"Master Ying," the servant said respectfully, though his eyes widened slightly at the sight of the disarray in the room. "It's morning. I've brought your tea."
The Overseer blinked, as if snapping out of a trance. "Thank you," she replied, accepting the tea. The servant left, casting a curious glance at Lin Feng, who was still immersed in his books.
Lin Feng's stomach rumbled loudly, breaking the silence. He realized that he had barely eaten anything since the ritual. Begrudgingly, he closed his books and stood up. "I need to eat."
The Overseer started to follow him, but Lin Feng interrupted her in her tracks. "Where do you think you're going?"
The Overseer looked puzzled. "To ensure you get some proper nourishment. You need to keep up your strength."
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. "Are you more of an idiot than I thought? We can't be seen together outside of the guild, idiot. Now scram."
The Overseer was left baffled when the one being she was supposed to guide and counsel told her to scram. She understood his reasoning, though, so she simply went back to her office and delved back into her studies of the Inner Sea. She had to find a way to help him, even if he didn't want her assistance right now.
Lin Feng returned to the inn he was staying at. The familiar smells of breakfast wafted through the air, and he felt his hunger intensify. He sat down at a small table and ordered a modest meal, just enough to satiate his hunger without weighing him down.
As he ate, he overheard snippets of conversations from the other patrons. Mundane topics mostly—local gossip, news from other regions, and the occasional mention of the Azure Dragon Sect. He paid little attention to these, his mind already drifting back to his studies and his current predicament.
After finishing his meal, Lin Feng went back to his room. He sat cross-legged on the floor, thinking about his cultivation manual. I could immediately reach the next stage of cultivation, he thought, but I still feel like there's something that I'm missing. The cultivation manual can't be just that.
He decided to review the path he had found for his Qi to travel from the outside, through his body, inside his pathways, and then to his dantian. He visualized the process, tracing the flow of Qi in his mind. It seemed straightforward, yet there was something off, something he couldn't pinpoint.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing a crucial detail. His frustration began to pile on, his thoughts becoming more chaotic and fragmented. What am I not seeing? he thought, clenching his fists.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his mind. He needed clarity, not more chaos. He went back to the basics, thinking about the fundamental principles he had learned from the books. He imagined the theoretical strands of Qi moving through his pathways, visualizing every twist and turn.
Then, it hit him. The pathways themselves were not the problem; it was how the Qi was being introduced into them. The initial flow was too abrupt, too forceful. He needed a gentler approach, a way to harmonize the Qi with his natural energy before guiding it through the pathways.
With this realization, Lin Feng adjusted his mental visualization. He imagined the Qi entering his body more smoothly, blending with his energy before being directed through the pathways. The process felt more natural, more in sync with his body's rhythm.
He focused on this new approach, refining it with each attempt. The theoretical figures in his Inner Sea responded better, the Qi moving more fluidly. It wasn't perfect, but it was a significant improvement.
Then something unexpected happened. The shadowy figure inside his mind exploded, but in a different manner than when Lin Feng's approach failed. This time, the figure reconstituted itself, but now its pathways had turned a milky white. The System gave Lin Feng another notification:
Theory of True Flow - First Iteration, Qi lifespan +100%, Qi quality +60%, Qi speed +15%.
That was it. That was what Lin Feng had strived for. Yet something bugged him, something ruined his joy at succeeding. The words: First Iteration. He hadn't done it yet. He hadn't understood how to perfectly reach the next stage in his cultivation.
Lin Feng screamed and started punching the ground. His fists turned bloody, yet he paid it no mind. Then, like a switch turned, he got much calmer. He went to his room's bathroom to wash his now bloody hands and looked at himself in the mirror.
Lin Feng's facial features were sharp and defined. His face was framed by dark, unruly hair that seemed to defy any attempt to tame it. His cheekbones were high, his nose straight and slightly pointed, giving him an austere look. His lips, usually set in a hard line, were now slightly parted, revealing clenched teeth. His skin was pale, almost sallow, from days spent indoors, lost in study and cultivation. But it was his eyes that stood out the most—ruby-colored and intense, a stark contrast to his otherwise muted appearance.
Lin Feng focused on his eyes and said, "I guess that's me... A mark of my life's failures until this very moment."
He went back to his room and sat down, his eyes calm—too calm, almost dead. He then resumed his cultivation, shadowy figures with milky white pathways constantly exploding inside his mind.
After the tenth explosion, Lin Feng got a nosebleed. After the twenty-sixth, he couldn't hear anything anymore. The strain was immense, taking a significant mental toll on him, yet his face didn't change, not one bit.
Lin Feng tried various approaches to modify how he pushed Qi into the shadowy figures toward the dantian. He experimented with creating whole new pathways, guiding the Qi through specific organs before it reached the dantian, ensuring it beat in rhythm with his heart. He considered the timing—whether it was daytime, nighttime, whether it rained or snowed. He tried to think of every possible scenario, but each failure led to more and more hurt, and he didn't seem to make any progress.
After the fortieth explosion, Lin Feng felt a splitting headache that nearly made him black out. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he couldn't see anything. But he pushed through, driven by an unyielding desire to find the perfect method. He needed to understand how to achieve the next stage in his cultivation perfectly.
He tried imagining the Qi flowing like blood through veins, spreading life to every part of the shadowy figure. He adjusted the flow to be smoother, moving through the pathways at a snail's pace. He visualized the Qi gently permeating the figure's organs before converging at the dantian. Yet, every attempt ended in failure.
By the sixtieth explosion, Lin Feng's sense of taste was affected. Everything tasted metallic, like blood. His face was still stoic, unchanging, but internally, he felt like he was being torn apart.
Despite the mounting failures and the toll on his body and mind, Lin Feng continued. He was relentless, driven by an obsession to understand. He tried envisioning the Qi moving in harmony with the rhythms of nature—swaying like trees in the wind, flowing like water in a stream. He synchronized the Qi with the pulses of the earth, the phases of the moon, the cycles of the sun. He explored every conceivable angle, leaving no stone unturned.
Lin Feng's body began to show signs of strain. Dark circles formed under his eyes, his skin turned paler, and his hands shook from exhaustion. He was running on sheer willpower, refusing to let himself rest until he had achieved his goal.
By the hundredth explosion, Lin Feng's vision blurred again, this time with tears of frustration. He felt like he was on the verge of a breakthrough, but the answer remained elusive. His head throbbed with pain, and his body screamed for rest, but he couldn't stop. He wouldn't stop.
His mind raced with possibilities. Maybe it was the temperature of the room, or the alignment of the stars. Perhaps the Qi needed to be infused with a specific emotion—calmness, anger, joy, sorrow. He tried them all, each one leading to another explosion, another failure.
As the sun began to rise, Lin Feng's mind was a battlefield of conflicting thoughts and theories. His body was on the brink of collapse, but his determination burned brighter than ever. He had to find the perfect method. He had to.
Just as he was about to try another approach, his vision dimmed, and he felt himself losing consciousness. The strain had finally caught up to him. He fell forward, barely catching himself before he hit the ground. As darkness claimed him, his last thought was a vow to continue, no matter what it took.
Lin Feng awoke hours later, his body aching and his mind foggy. He had pushed himself to the brink, and it showed. He sat up slowly, the pain in his head a constant reminder of his failures. But there was a flicker of resolve in his eyes, a burning determination to rise above this challenge.
He stood up, shakily at first, and made his way back to the center of his room, where a small puddle of blood had gathered. He took a deep breath and began again, his mind a whirlwind of theories and possibilities.