The first rays of sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Azazel stood there, the cold wind brushing against his skin, his chest still heaving from the fight with the beast. The adrenaline rush had faded, leaving only the quiet hum of his body's exhaustion. Yet despite the weariness, he felt something stir deep within him—a faint but undeniable surge of power.
Host: You have successfully unlocked a new stage in your Qi cultivation. However, this is just the beginning. Your journey requires focus, dedication, and perseverance. Let's begin.
Azazel took a slow breath, the system's voice once again filling his mind with its steady guidance. He could already feel the difference after the battle—the Qi flowing more freely, almost naturally, through his body. The Iron Soul was still an enigma, but the more he tapped into it, the more he understood its connection to his cultivation.
The first thing he needed to do was recover. The beast was not an ordinary opponent; its strength had tested his limits, but it had also taught him something invaluable. The control of his Qi, however basic, had allowed him to land the decisive blow. But that wasn't enough. He needed to strengthen himself further, to understand the true nature of the Qi that flowed through him, and how to unlock the deeper potential within the Iron Soul.
Host: Your current rank is Qi Gathering Stage—Middle Rank. To advance, you must first stabilize your foundation. Begin by meditating to deepen your connection with your Qi.
Azazel nodded, grateful for the system's guidance. It wasn't like he had much experience with cultivation—his knowledge was limited to the memories of Jiang Xian's life, and even those were fragmented. But there was no time to waste. He needed to understand this world and the powers it offered.
He found a clearing, a quiet spot where the grass was soft, and sat cross-legged. His palms rested on his knees, and his eyes fluttered closed. For a long moment, he simply listened to the sounds of the forest around him—the whisper of the wind, the distant call of birds, the rustling of leaves.
It was in this silence that he began to focus, channeling his attention inward.
Focus, Azazel. Feel the Qi flow. Let it rise from your dantian and fill your body.
The voice of the system guided him, urging him to let go of his distractions, to truly feel the flow of Qi. At first, there was nothing. His body was still, but his mind raced, uncertain of what he was supposed to be doing. The sensation of the Qi, that subtle force, seemed to slip through his grasp every time he tried to focus on it.
Host: You must relax. Qi cannot be forced. Let it come to you naturally, like the ebb and flow of the tide.
Azazel breathed in slowly, releasing the tension in his body. His mind wandered back to Jiang Xian's memories, to his struggles and triumphs. The young man had lived through endless hardships, learning the art of martial cultivation the hard way. He had trained his body and mind in ways that were unimaginable to most people in this world, but even then, Jiang Xian had struggled to reach his true potential.
The Iron Soul... Azazel thought, focusing on the words. There had to be a reason why the system had chosen him. Why was he here, in this body, with these memories? What was this strange connection to Jiang Xian's life?
As if answering his thoughts, the system's voice sounded again.
Host: The Iron Soul is a rare and powerful ability that connects directly to your spiritual essence. To awaken its true potential, you must undergo trials of strength and will. You must prove yourself worthy.
Azazel's eyes snapped open. Trials of strength and will? The words hung in the air like a challenge. He didn't know what these trials would entail, but he was certain of one thing—he wasn't going to back down.
Host: To begin, you must stabilize your Qi. Focus on it as it flows through your body. It is the foundation for all cultivation, the key to your success.
He closed his eyes again, this time with a renewed sense of purpose. The Qi was there, swirling within him. He could feel its subtle presence, like a current just beneath his skin. Slowly, tentatively, he reached out with his mind, trying to connect with it.
At first, it felt like pushing against a wall. But then, it softened, like water slipping past his fingers. He could feel the flow now, a gentle pulse beneath his ribs, steady and rhythmic. He breathed deeply, allowing his body to relax even further, guiding the Qi with his focus.
It was slow at first, but gradually, the Qi began to respond. It moved within him, flowing like a river that had found its course. His dantian—his center—was the focal point, the place where all his power began and where it would return. Slowly, he directed the Qi from his dantian out to the rest of his body, sending it to his limbs, to his core, and finally, to the tips of his fingers.
A warmth spread through his body, like the first rays of sunlight after a long storm. His muscles, previously tight from exertion, began to loosen. His senses sharpened, the world around him coming into sharper focus.
Host: You are progressing well, Azazel. Your connection with the Qi is growing stronger. But remember, Qi alone is not enough. The Iron Soul will grant you access to more advanced techniques and abilities, but it requires you to strengthen your mind as well as your body.
Azazel's brow furrowed as the system's words sank in. The Iron Soul wasn't just about cultivating Qi—it was something more, something deeper. The potential was immense, but only if he could unlock it. The path ahead was unclear, but he could feel the promise of power.
Host: To unlock the Iron Soul's true potential, you must first overcome the trial of will. This will test your resolve and your ability to control your Qi under duress. Prepare yourself, Azazel.
Suddenly, a sharp, almost electric pain surged through Azazel's chest. His body tensed, the Qi within him reacting violently as the pain gripped his heart. It was as though his very soul was being torn apart. His breath came in short gasps as he fought to maintain his focus.
Host: The trial begins now. Your will must be stronger than the pain. You must master your Qi, or it will consume you.
Azazel's vision blurred as the pain intensified, his entire body feeling like it was being crushed under a mountain. But he didn't falter. He couldn't. Jiang Xian's memories surged through him—his struggles, his battles, his unyielding will to rise above every challenge. Azazel felt the strength of those memories, the determination that had once defined this body.
Focus, he thought, gritting his teeth. I will not fail.
He focused on the Qi within him, reaching deep into its core. With a forceful push, he commanded the flow to settle, to obey. The pain receded, and the tension in his chest loosened.
A moment later, the pain vanished completely.
Host: Congratulations. You have passed the trial of will. Your Iron Soul has been unlocked. Your potential has now expanded beyond the Qi Gathering Stage.
Azazel opened his eyes, gasping for breath, but a smile spread across his face. The sensation of the Iron Soul awakening within him was exhilarating. His body hummed with energy, the very air around him vibrating with power.
Host: You have completed the first trial. Your cultivation will now progress at an accelerated rate. However, the path to true strength will require many more trials.
Azazel stood, feeling more alive than ever before. His body was still sore from the battle with the beast, but it didn't matter now. He had taken the first step toward unlocking his true potential.
The world before him had changed, and so had he.
With the Iron Soul now awakened, Azazel felt a deep sense of purpose fill his heart. The trials had just begun, but he was ready. Whatever challenges awaited him, he would face them head-on.
The path of cultivation had begun in earnest. And Azazel would walk it to the very end.