Chapter 2: The System's Guidance
The eerie howls of wolves echoed through the darkening forest, sending chills down Zhang Wei's spine. He sat under the ancient tree, his breathing steady but his mind racing. His grip on the bloodied branch tightened as he scanned his surroundings.
The memory of the Shadow Wolf he had slain earlier replayed in his mind. The raw terror, the adrenaline coursing through his veins, and the strange sense of triumph afterward—it all felt surreal. But there was no time to dwell on it.
Host is advised to continue cultivating. Qi absorption will enhance physical and mental capabilities, improving survival odds.
The system's calm, mechanical voice interrupted his thoughts. Zhang Wei clenched his jaw, frustrated by its detached tone. "Yeah, easy for you to say. You're not the one fighting for your life out here," he muttered.
Host is correct. However, survival is contingent upon Host's willingness to adapt. The Heavenly Realm rewards only the strong.
Zhang Wei exhaled slowly, forcing himself to focus. The system wasn't wrong. Complaining wouldn't change anything. He closed his eyes and returned to his meditative stance, following the instructions from the Qi Condensation Manual that now resided in his mind.
The first step was visualization. Zhang Wei imagined the world around him as a sea of invisible energy, shimmering and flowing like a gentle current. The manual referred to this energy as Qi—the lifeblood of all things in this realm.
He inhaled deeply, willing the Qi to flow toward him. It was subtle at first, like a faint breeze brushing against his skin. Gradually, the sensation grew stronger, and he felt the energy seeping into his body, pooling in his Dantian—the core where Qi was stored.
Progress detected. Host is nearing the First Qi Layer. Continue sustained focus.
Sweat beaded on Zhang Wei's forehead as he concentrated. The process was more draining than he had expected. Every inhale felt like dragging a heavy weight, and every exhale left him trembling. Yet, with each passing moment, the Qi within him grew denser, brighter, and more potent.
Time blurred as Zhang Wei lost himself in the rhythm of cultivation. The howls of the wolves faded into the background, replaced by the steady hum of energy coursing through his veins.
Suddenly, a surge of warmth spread through his body, and his eyes snapped open. A notification appeared before him:
Breakthrough achieved. Host has entered the First Qi Layer.
Zhang Wei stared at the screen, his chest rising and falling rapidly. He felt… different. His senses were sharper, his body lighter, and his mind clearer. Even his aching limbs seemed to have recovered somewhat.
"This is… incredible," he whispered, clenching and unclenching his fists. He could feel the Qi pulsing within him, a wellspring of power waiting to be unleashed.
Host's current level of strength has increased. Additional abilities are now accessible. New quest issued.
Another screen materialized, and Zhang Wei leaned forward to read it.
Quest: Hunt the Flame Boar
Objective: Slay the Flame Boar and retrieve its Beast Core.Reward: Enhanced physical strength and cultivation resources.Penalty: Stagnation in cultivation progress.
"Flame Boar?" Zhang Wei muttered, furrowing his brows. "That doesn't sound friendly."
The Flame Boar is a Qi-infused beast of the Second Qi Layer. Its core contains potent energy necessary for Host's advancement.
"Second Qi Layer? Isn't that stronger than me?" he asked, feeling a twinge of unease.
Correct. However, Host possesses ingenuity and system guidance. Victory is achievable through strategy.
Zhang Wei sighed, running a hand through his hair. There was no point in arguing with the system. If this world rewarded strength, then he had no choice but to push forward.
Gathering his resolve, he rose to his feet. The forest, now cloaked in the shadows of night, seemed even more foreboding. Every sound made him flinch, and every rustle of leaves felt like the prelude to an attack.
Tip: Host is advised to fashion a weapon. Utilizing available materials will increase survival odds.
Zhang Wei glanced around and spotted a pile of stones near the tree. One of them had a sharp edge, glinting faintly in the moonlight. He picked it up and began sharpening the tip of his branch. The process was slow and tedious, but when he was done, the branch resembled a crude spear.
"It's not much," he said, holding it up, "but it'll have to do."
With his makeshift weapon in hand, Zhang Wei set off into the forest, following the system's guidance. The path was treacherous, littered with gnarled roots and uneven terrain. The faint glow of bioluminescent plants illuminated his way, casting an eerie light that made the shadows seem alive.
After what felt like hours, Zhang Wei came across a clearing. In the center stood the Flame Boar. It was massive, its muscular body covered in bristling red fur that seemed to shimmer like embers. Its tusks, glowing faintly with a fiery hue, looked sharp enough to pierce steel.
The boar snorted, its eyes locking onto Zhang Wei. There was an intelligence in its gaze, a primal awareness that sent a shiver down his spine.
Tip: The Flame Boar's weak points are its underbelly and neck. Avoid direct confrontation. Use the environment to your advantage.
Zhang Wei nodded, his mind racing. He scanned the clearing, noting the scattered rocks and fallen branches. If he could lure the boar into a trap, he might have a chance.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the clearing. The Flame Boar let out a low growl, its tusks igniting with flames as it pawed the ground.
"Alright, big guy," Zhang Wei muttered, raising his spear. "Let's dance."
The boar charged with terrifying speed, flames erupting from its tusks as it closed the distance. Zhang Wei leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. The heat from the flames singed his clothes, and he could feel the ground tremble beneath the beast's weight.
Adrenaline surged through him as he scrambled to his feet. The boar turned, its eyes glowing with fury, and charged again. This time, Zhang Wei used the rocks to his advantage, dodging behind one just as the boar's tusks smashed into it.
The impact left the beast momentarily stunned, and Zhang Wei seized the opportunity. He lunged forward, driving his spear into the boar's neck. The beast roared in pain, thrashing wildly as blood sprayed from the wound.
But it wasn't enough. The boar shook off the spear and charged again, its movements slower but no less deadly. Zhang Wei dodged and weaved, striking whenever he found an opening. Each attack weakened the beast further, until finally, it collapsed with a thunderous crash.
Panting heavily, Zhang Wei approached the fallen creature. A glowing orb emerged from its chest, hovering in the air before him.
Quest complete. Retrieving Beast Core.
As Zhang Wei reached out to touch the orb, warmth spread through his body. The system's voice echoed in his mind once more:
Core absorbed. Host's Qi reserves and physical strength have been enhanced.
Zhang Wei sank to his knees, exhaustion overtaking him. He had survived yet another trial, but he knew this was only the beginning. The path ahead was long and fraught with danger, but for the first time, he felt a spark of hope.
"This world… I'll survive it. No—I'll conquer it."
The forest fell silent as the first light of dawn broke through the trees, heralding a new day.