The dawn broke over Willow Brook, casting soft golden light across the village. Li Wei lay in his small, cluttered room, staring up at the wooden ceiling, still unable to believe what had happened the night before. A "system" had appeared in his mind, claiming it could help him become a cultivator. It seemed like a dream, yet he could still feel the strange energy humming faintly inside him.
Sitting up, he concentrated, and instantly, the system's menu appeared before his eyes, floating in the air like an illusion.
Ascension System
Current Cultivation Level: Mortal Stage 1 (0%)
Tasks Available:
Gather 10 Spirit HerbsReward: 50 cultivation pointsMeditate for one hourReward: 10 cultivation pointsLi Wei studied the list carefully, his gaze lingering on the first task. Gather 10 Spirit Herbs. He had heard of spirit herbs before—plants that absorbed spiritual energy from the earth, valuable for their strengthening properties. Ordinary villagers couldn't use them, but cultivators could refine these herbs to boost their energy and speed up cultivation.
However, these herbs were rare and usually grew in the deepest parts of the forest. Willow Brook's elders often warned villagers not to venture too far, for the forest was rumored to house wild beasts and spirits that even skilled hunters feared. But now, Li Wei had little choice.
He clenched his fists. If I'm going to seize this opportunity, I can't let fear hold me back.
After a quick breakfast, he slipped into the forest, carrying only a small knife for protection. The morning air was cool, and the trees were bathed in a pale, greenish light. As he ventured deeper, the familiar sounds of the village faded, replaced by rustling leaves and the occasional call of unseen creatures.
It didn't take long before he saw a patch of bright green near the base of an old tree. Squatting down, he examined it closely. The plant had thin leaves with a faint silvery sheen—a clear sign of a spirit herb, just like the stories described.
"Spirit Herb…" he whispered, his heart pounding with excitement.
Carefully, he dug around the roots and pulled it free, placing it gently in his satchel. He felt a rush of satisfaction, knowing that he was taking the first step toward his dream. Nine more, and he would complete the task.
Hours passed as he moved through the forest, searching the undergrowth and crevices. The herbs were hard to find, but his persistence paid off, and by the time the sun was high, he had gathered nine spirit herbs. Wiping sweat from his forehead, he looked around, realizing he had ventured much farther than usual. The air felt different here, almost…thicker, as if it held some invisible pressure.
Just as he began to look for the tenth herb, he heard a low growl. His blood ran cold. Turning slowly, he saw it—a black-furred wolf with silver eyes, crouched low among the trees, its gaze locked onto him.
Li Wei's hand trembled as he tightened his grip on his knife. The wolf was larger than any he'd ever seen, and it moved with a dangerous grace. He had never fought a wild animal before, and he had no experience in combat. His heart pounded wildly, but he forced himself to stay calm.
The system's voice spoke within his mind, calm and clear. "New task detected: Survive against the Silver-Eyed Wolf."
Li Wei gritted his teeth, feeling a mixture of terror and determination. He backed away slowly, holding his knife in front of him. The wolf crouched lower, ready to pounce, its eyes fixed on his every move.
In that moment, the system spoke again. Task Completion Reward Available: 50 Cultivation Points. Redeem now?
"Yes!" he replied instinctively, and an instant later, a wave of energy flooded his body. His muscles tightened, his senses sharpened, and for a brief moment, the fear dissolved, replaced by a strange confidence.
The wolf lunged.
Moving almost on instinct, Li Wei sidestepped, his body reacting with a speed he hadn't known he possessed. He slashed out with his knife, catching the wolf's shoulder. The beast snarled, blood staining its dark fur, but it didn't back down. Instead, it circled him, cautious yet furious, waiting for an opening.
Li Wei steadied his breath, the newfound energy thrumming in his veins. He remembered the training he had done with his father long ago—the basic techniques for wielding a knife, simple but effective. Now, it felt as though those movements had become second nature, as if his body knew what to do without his mind needing to command it.
The wolf lunged again, this time faster, aiming for his throat. Li Wei ducked, rolling to the side, and thrust his knife upward as the wolf sailed past him. The blade struck true, sinking into the wolf's flank. With a pained yelp, the beast collapsed, its body twitching before going still.
Panting, Li Wei knelt beside the wolf, his hands shaking as the adrenaline began to fade. He had done it. Somehow, against all odds, he had survived. The system's voice returned, calm and almost approving.
Task Completed: Survive against the Silver-Eyed Wolf
Reward: 100 Cultivation Points
A warmth flooded his chest as the points were added to his cultivation progress, and he felt a faint pressure building within him. Glancing at the menu, he saw his progress had increased to 10% of Mortal Stage 1. It was a small step, but it was real, and for the first time, he could feel the power growing inside him.
He took a deep breath and resumed his search, finally finding the last spirit herb nestled in the roots of a fallen tree. With the ten herbs in hand, he felt a sense of triumph. He had completed both tasks and gained a glimpse of what true cultivation could be. This was just the beginning.
As he made his way back home, a thought echoed in his mind. I'm not the same as I was yesterday. This system, this power…it's real. And if I keep following it, maybe one day I really will reach the heights of legend.
That night, as he meditated in his small room, he could feel the energy swirling within him, and he understood what the system had told him: that his path would not be easy. He would face trials, dangers, and opponents far stronger than he was now. But he had a chance—a chance to rise above the ordinary, to leave behind the life he had known, and to carve his name into the stars.
And as the first traces of spiritual energy entered his dantian, Li Wei knew that he had taken his first step on the path to ascension.