Lin Feng peeked his head out from behind the stack of books, blinking as he realized that morning had already arrived. The first light of dawn filtered through the window, casting a warm glow on the cluttered desk. He had spent the entire night studying, trying to grasp the intricacies of Spell Modification and the stages of Qi Condensation. With a sigh, he set aside his notes and prepared to start his routine.
He reached for an Intermediate Qi Gathering pill, swallowing it quickly and closing his eyes to focus. Following the Theory of True Flow, he directed the gathered Qi through his pathways, each one lighting up like stars as the Qi cycled through his body. It avoided his organs, muscles, bones, and blood, cycling multiple times before finally reaching his dantian. He held the Qi above his dantian, allowing it to drip down in a controlled manner. Each drop brought a wave of warmth and cold, heaviness and lightness, until finally, he felt a shift.
There was no grand spectacle, no explosive surge of power. Lin Feng simply felt a subtle change, a quiet but profound difference. He had broken through to the 4th stage of Qi Condensation. It felt like the most normal thing in the world, yet he could feel the increase in his strength and control.
He opened his Status Board to examine his progress:
Status
Name: Lin Feng
Race: Human
Class: Novice Cultivator
Level: 2 (325/400)
Cultivation Stage: Qi Condensation Stage 4
Skills:
Wind Blade - Level 5 (Proficiency: 48/500)
Phase Walk - Level 1 (Proficiency: 11/100)
Enhanced Perception - Level 1 (Proficiency: 14/100)
Rapid Fire Fist - Level 1 (Proficiency: 5/100)
Refined Qi Circulation - Level 2 (Proficiency: 61/1000)
Stone Barrage - Level 1 (Proficiency: 15/100)
Unique Skills:
Heart of True Belief - Level 1 (Proficiency: 1547/1000000)
Attributes:
Health: 270/270
Qi: 0/240
Stamina: 190/190
Strength: Qi Condensation Stage 4
Agility: Qi Condensation Stage 4
Vitality: Qi Condensation Stage 4
Endurance: Qi Condensation Stage 4
Wisdom: Qi Condensation Stage 3
Intelligence: Qi Condensation Stage 6
Dexterity: Qi Condensation Stage 3
Charisma: Qi Condensation Stage 1
Luck: Qi Condensation Stage 1
Spiritual Awareness: Lower than Qi Condensation
Mystical Affinity: Qi Condensation Stage 8
Legacies:
Legacy of the Crystal Oracle - Level 1
Theorems:
True Flow - Qi Lifespan +200%, Qi Quality +80%, Qi Speed +30%. Special Effect: The longer your Qi lasts, the easier it will pierce through both matter and non-matter.
Communions:
Wind - High Communion Stage 1
Sound - Medium Communion Stage 1
Lightning - Medium Communion Stage 1
Earth - Highest Communion Stage 1
Ice - Lowest Communion, Stage 2
Wood - Lowest Communion, Stage 2
Free Skill Points: 4
Free Stat Points: 0
Gift Points: 154
Functionalities:
Gift Shop
Evolution Tree
Exchange Shop
Lin Feng stared at his status, feeling no pride. The progress was there, but to him, it was merely what was expected. Anyone could have done it if they worked hard enough. He had no time to waste on self-congratulation. Instead, he needed to level up, and that required a battle.
Killing someone was out of the question inside the city, but defeating a cultivator in battle would suffice. He needed to find the right opponent, and he knew just the person. A few days prior, a young man had stepped on his shoe, and Lin Feng had, in a fit of rage, decided that this person would be his lifelong target.
With this in mind, Lin Feng left Huo Ying's office and began to explore the guild. The Guild of Spell Crafters was vast, filled with various facilities and areas dedicated to different aspects of spell crafting and cultivation.
As he walked through the halls, he passed by several laboratories where spell crafters were conducting experiments. He saw rooms filled with ancient tomes and scrolls, where scholars were engrossed in their studies. There were training grounds where apprentices practiced their spells and martial techniques, and meditation chambers where cultivators sat in quiet contemplation.
Some areas were restricted, guarded by stern-looking individuals who ensured that only authorized personnel could enter. Lin Feng could only look at these places from afar, his curiosity piqued but his access denied. He made mental notes of the locations, hoping that one day he would be allowed to enter and learn from the knowledge hidden within.
Continuing his exploration, Lin Feng finally spotted his target in one of the training grounds. The young man, with a delicate build and soft features, was practicing his spells. He had pale skin, large brown eyes, and light brown hair that fell in gentle waves around his face. He wore the robes of a guild apprentice, and there was a timid, almost meek demeanor about him.
Lin Feng approached with determination, his eyes narrowing as he got closer. The young man looked up, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Hello," the young man said hesitantly. "Can I help you with something?"
Lin Feng sneered internally at the man's polite demeanor. "You stepped on my shoe a few days ago," he said coldly. "I challenge you to a duel. Here and now."
The young man blinked in surprise. "I... stepped on your shoe? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"
"Save your apologies," Lin Feng snapped. "Do you accept the challenge or not?"
The young man, still bewildered, nodded slowly. "I... I accept. But I must warn you, I'm not much of a fighter. My name is Bai Hua, by the way. It means white flower."
"I don't care what your name means," Lin Feng said sharply. "Prepare yourself."
The onlookers formed a circle around them, eager to witness the duel. Lin Feng focused, his mind clear despite the taunts and insults thrown his way. He couldn't afford to lose; this was his chance to level up.
The duel began with Bai Hua casting a basic fire spell. Lin Feng dodged and countered with his Wind Blade. The needle-like wind slices cut through the air, narrowly missing Bai Hua.
"Is that all you've got?" Lin Feng taunted, launching another Wind Blade.
Bai Hua summoned a shield of wood to block the attack. "I-I won't let you win," he said, his voice shaking but determined.
Lin Feng grinned, feeling the rush of battle. He began to guide Bai Hua, albeit mockingly. "Use more fire, flower boy. Mix it with wood. Let's see what you can really do."
Bai Hua hesitated, clearly unsure, but followed Lin Feng's taunts. He combined his fire spell with the wood element, creating a swirling vortex of flames.
"Good, now add sound to it," Lin Feng goaded, dodging another attack.
Bai Hua focused, adding sound waves to the mix. The flames grew more intense, crackling with energy.
Lin Feng's smirk widened. "Perfect. Now, let's see the Harmonious Flame."
Bai Hua blinked in confusion. "W-what's that?"
"Figure it out," Lin Feng said, his tone dripping with condescension. "Or are you too stupid to understand?"
Bai Hua's face flushed with anger, and he concentrated harder. He could feel the elements aligning, resonating with each other. Lin Feng's constant hits and berating fueled his determination.
Suddenly, the air around Bai Hua ignited with a brilliant, harmonious flame, a perfect blend of fire, wood, and sound. The spell surged forward, tendrils of wood wrapped in flames and vibrating with sound waves, creating a symphony of destruction aimed at Lin Feng.
Lin Feng dodged to the side, using Phase Walk, but the elemental attack was relentless. The sound waves disoriented him, and the flames seared his skin. He gritted his teeth, feeling the pain but refusing to back down.
"Not bad, flower boy," Lin Feng growled, launching a Stone Barrage in retaliation. Sharp stones flew towards Bai Hua, who desperately tried to defend himself with barriers of wood and flame. The stones battered his defenses, and Lin Feng pressed the attack, hitting him with Wind Blades and Rapid Fire Fists whenever he got close.
"Is this all you've got, Bai Hua?" Lin Feng mocked, his voice cold and merciless. "You're pathetic."
Bai Hua was on the ground, bruised and bleeding, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Please... stop," he pleaded, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can't take any more."
Lin Feng's expression remained hard. "You're not done until I say you're done." He summoned another Wind Blade, aiming it at Bai Hua's head. "Now get up and fight."
Tears welled in Bai Hua's eyes as he struggled to his feet, his body trembling. Lin Feng's relentless assault had pushed him to his limits, but there was a flicker of determination in his eyes.
"That's it," Lin Feng said, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Show me what you've got."
Bai Hua gathered the last of his strength, summoning the Harmonious Flame once more. The brilliant flames surged toward Lin Feng, but he was ready. He used Phase Walk to dodge to the side and countered with a powerful Wind Blade, slicing through the flames and striking Bai Hua.
The young man crumpled to the ground, unable to continue. Lin Feng stood over him, breathing heavily and nursing his own wounds. His skin was burned, his body ached from the impact of the sound waves, but he felt no pride—only a grim satisfaction.
"You have potential," Lin Feng said coldly. "But you're weak. Remember this lesson."
Bai Hua looked up at him, tears streaming down his face. "I... I will."
Lin Feng turned and walked away, leaving the training ground and heading back to the Overseer's office. He had won the duel, and he could feel the experience coursing through him. When he checked his status again, he saw that his level had increased:
Status
Name: Lin Feng
Race: Human
Class: Novice Cultivator
Level: 3 (50/400)
Cultivation Stage: Qi Condensation Stage 4
Skills:
Wind Blade - Level 5 (Proficiency: 54/500)
Phase Walk - Level 1 (Proficiency: 15/100)
Enhanced Perception - Level 1 (Proficiency: 17/100)
Rapid Fire Fist - Level 1 (Proficiency: 8/100)
Refined Qi Circulation - Level 2 (Proficiency: 61/1000)
Stone Barrage - Level 1 (Proficiency: 18/100)
Unique Skills:
Heart of True Belief - Level 1 (Proficiency: 1547/1000000)
Attributes:
Health: 104/270
Qi: 0/240
Stamina: 41/190
Strength: Qi Condensation Stage 5
Agility: Qi Condensation Stage 5
Vitality: Qi Condensation Stage 4
Endurance: Qi Condensation Stage 5
Wisdom: Qi Condensation Stage 4
Intelligence: Qi Condensation Stage 6
Dexterity: Qi Condensation Stage 4
Charisma: Qi Condensation Stage 1
Luck: Qi Condensation Stage 1
Spiritual Awareness: Lower than Qi Condensation
Mystical Affinity: Qi Condensation Stage 9
Legacies:
Legacy of the Crystal Oracle - Level 1
Theorems:
True Flow - Qi Lifespan +200%, Qi Quality +80%, Qi Speed +30%. Special Effect: The longer your Qi lasts, the easier it will pierce through both matter and non-matter.
Communions:
Wind - High Communion Stage 1
Sound - Medium Communion Stage 1
Lightning - Medium Communion Stage 1
Earth - Highest Communion Stage 1
Ice - Lowest Communion, Stage 2
Wood - Lowest Communion, Stage 2
Free Skill Points: 14
Free Stat Points: 10
Gift Points: 164
Functionalities:
Gift Shop
Evolution Tree
Exchange Shop
Lin Feng felt the changes in his body. His strength, agility, and endurance had increased, but his health and stamina were still low. He was bleeding and scorched from the duel, but he didn't care. His health and stamina would recuperate on their own, albeit slowly. Right now, he needed to study.
As he was about to open a book, a thought crossed his mind. Should he still use the Theory of True Flow for his next stages of cultivation? It had served him well so far, but something didn't feel right. If he abandoned it now, he would have to start over and create an entirely new way of cultivating for the next stage. But was it worth it, or was it just a fool's errand?
Unsure, Lin Feng began to scribble down various ways he could approach cultivating in another way. He listed potential theories, different pathways, and possible methods to refine his Qi. Yet, every time he tried to develop a new theory, it always led back to the Theory of True Flow.
Frustration began to build within him. He crumpled the papers he had written on and threw them across the room. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that his current understanding was limited. The Theory of True Flow was efficient, and he couldn't deny its effectiveness. But he felt that there was something more, something he wasn't seeing.
His anger grew as he continued to fail in creating a new approach. He slammed his fists onto the desk, feeling the pain shoot through his already injured body. "Damn it!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the room. "Why can't I figure this out?"
The Overseer, who had been quietly observing from a distance, approached him. "Lin Feng," she said softly, "perhaps you should consider asking for help. There are many experienced cultivators and spell crafters who could offer valuable insights."
"Help?" Lin Feng sneered. "I don't need anyone's help. I can do this on my own."
"Sometimes, seeking advice is not a sign of weakness but of wisdom," the Overseer continued. "You might find a new perspective that could aid your understanding."
Lin Feng's eyes blazed with anger. "Stop blabbing about things you can't and won't ever understand. You think I should just go around asking for advice? You think anyone else would understand my struggles?" He turned back to his desk, gritting his teeth. "I don't need their help, and I don't need yours."
The Overseer sighed but didn't back down. "Lin Feng, the path of cultivation is not meant to be walked alone. Collaboration and learning from others' experiences can lead to breakthroughs you might not achieve on your own."
"Enough!" Lin Feng shouted, his voice trembling with rage. "I told you to stop. You don't understand what I'm trying to do. Just leave me alone."
The Overseer took a step back, her expression calm but determined. "I am here to guide you, Lin Feng, whether you accept it or not. Remember, even the most powerful cultivators did not achieve their strength in isolation."
Lin Feng ignored her, his mind racing with frustration. He couldn't accept that he might need help. To him, it felt like admitting defeat. He picked up a fresh sheet of paper and began to write again, his hand shaking with anger.
Hours passed as Lin Feng delved deeper into his studies, his anger slowly giving way to determination. He tried drawing different diagrams of his own body and the pathways he had discovered. He mapped out various routes the Qi could take, considering all the absurd possibilities. He jotted down notes, tried to incorporate different elements, and analyzed how the Qi could flow more efficiently.
Yet, every time he thought he had a breakthrough, he realized that what he was writing made no sense. He tore up sheet after sheet of paper, his frustration mounting. He felt like he was chasing shadows, each idea more elusive than the last.
"Why can't I figure this out?" he muttered through gritted teeth. His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts, and the more he tried to focus, the more scattered his ideas became.
Night fell, casting a dark shadow over the room. The only light came from the flickering candle on his desk. Lin Feng's body was screaming for rest, but he refused to give in. His eyes were bloodshot, his hands shaking from exhaustion and pain. He kept pushing himself, desperate to find a solution.
"Maybe if I try this..." he whispered, drawing another diagram. He traced the pathways with his pen, trying to visualize the flow of Qi. But as he stared at the paper, the lines blurred, and his vision wavered.
His head pounded with a relentless headache. He felt like he was on the verge of a breakthrough, but the clarity he sought remained just out of reach. He crumpled the paper and threw it aside, grabbing another sheet to start over.
"Why does this always lead back to the Theory of True Flow?" he growled, his frustration boiling over. "There has to be another way!"
He scribbled furiously, trying to force the ideas to make sense. His mind was a storm of doubts and questions, each one adding to the chaos. He felt trapped in a cycle of failure, unable to break free.
Finally, the exhaustion became too much. Lin Feng's hand slipped, and his head dropped onto the desk. His eyes fluttered closed, and darkness claimed him. His body slumped forward, the scattered papers a testament to his relentless struggle.