The next day, Lin Feng woke early, feeling the weight of his newfound responsibilities press upon him. Bai Long had promised to train him rigorously, and the task he had been given by the system loomed large in his mind. It wasn't just about proving himself anymore—this was the beginning of something much larger.
He stood before the courtyard, the morning mist still hanging in the air as he stretched his limbs, preparing for another round of training. Bai Long stood a few steps away, his posture impeccable, exuding an air of calm confidence that Lin Feng both admired and sought to emulate.
"Master, are you ready to begin?" Bai Long asked, his voice as smooth as ever.
Lin Feng clenched his fists. "Of course."
Bai Long nodded approvingly. "Good. We will start with a simple technique today. It will help you improve the flow of Qi through your body and build a foundation for your future progress."
The technique was simple in concept, but difficult in practice. Lin Feng was to form a Qi circuit within his body, guiding the energy through his meridians in a smooth, uninterrupted flow. If he could manage this, it would allow him to store Qi more efficiently and prepare for the higher levels of cultivation.
As Bai Long demonstrated the movement, Lin Feng mimicked his actions, attempting to channel his Qi through the various pathways. At first, nothing happened. He could feel his Qi swirling inside him, but it refused to obey his commands. His frustration grew, but Bai Long's calm presence soothed him.
"Do not rush," Bai Long instructed. "Cultivation is a matter of patience. It is not about force, but about harmony."
Lin Feng took a deep breath and tried again, this time focusing on the flow rather than the end result. Slowly, the Qi began to move, trickling through his body like a slow stream. With each passing moment, he felt more in control.
A sense of accomplishment washed over him as the Qi reached his dantian, the center of his energy. Lin Feng smiled, but Bai Long remained silent, his gaze fixed on him.
"You've done well for your first attempt," Bai Long said after a pause. "But this is only the beginning. You must practice daily, or the progress will be minimal."
Lin Feng nodded, the fire in his heart reigniting. "I understand, Master. I will not fail."
---
Days passed, and Lin Feng's training continued without pause. The system's quests and Bai Long's lessons were relentless, but Lin Feng found himself growing stronger with each passing moment. By the end of the week, he had successfully reached the 2nd stage of Qi Condensation, a significant leap forward.
However, his progress had not gone unnoticed.
One evening, as Lin Feng was leaving the training grounds, he was met by an unexpected visitor. Lin Tao, his older brother, stood in the doorway, arms crossed and a sneer on his face.
"So, the waste finally thinks he's something special?" Lin Tao's voice was dripping with mockery.
Lin Feng narrowed his eyes, his hands instinctively balling into fists. "What do you want, Lin Tao?"
"You've been making quite the scene, haven't you?" Lin Tao chuckled, his eyes flashing with malice. "Father's already starting to worry that you'll outshine me, and that's something I won't allow."
Lin Feng's blood boiled. "I don't need your permission, Lin Tao. I'm not your shadow anymore. You've had your time. It's my turn now."
The two brothers stared each other down, the tension thick in the air. Lin Tao was stronger than Lin Feng, but Lin Feng knew he had an edge now—he had the system and Bai Long, an unbeatable combination.
"Your words are empty, Lin Feng," Lin Tao said, his smile turning into a smirk. "Let's see how well you perform when I put you to the test."
Without warning, Lin Tao unleashed a wave of Qi, sending it crashing toward Lin Feng with enough force to knock him off his feet. Lin Feng barely managed to react in time, raising his hands to deflect the attack, but the pressure was overwhelming. His Qi control was still developing, and Lin Tao's attack pushed him back several steps.
Bai Long appeared in an instant, stepping between the two brothers with a cold, measured gaze. "Enough, Lin Tao," he said, his voice carrying an authority that made even Lin Tao hesitate. "This is not the way of cultivation. Your quarrel is beneath us."
Lin Tao gritted his teeth, glaring at the powerful cultivator who had intervened. "Who are you to interfere in family matters?"
"I am Bai Long, a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator," Bai Long replied calmly. "And if you have a problem with Lin Feng, you must go through me."
The words were like a thunderclap, and Lin Tao faltered. A Nascent Soul Realm cultivator was a powerful being, one whose strength far surpassed Lin Tao's. Realizing the situation, Lin Tao clenched his fists, his pride wounded.
"Fine," Lin Tao spat, "but don't think this is over, Lin Feng. I'll make sure you regret this."
With that, he turned on his heel and stormed off, his footsteps heavy with frustration.
Lin Feng stood still, his heart still racing from the confrontation. Bai Long turned to him, his expression unreadable.
"Master, you must be cautious. There are many who will not accept your rise to power," Bai Long warned. "But with proper guidance, you can overcome any obstacle."
Lin Feng nodded, his resolve hardening. "I'll deal with Lin Tao in my own way. But I'm done being the weakling everyone expects me to be. I will rise, and nothing will stand in my way."
---
Later that night, as Lin Feng sat alone in his room, the system's voice rang out.
"Quest Update: New task assigned. Train for 48 hours and increase cultivation by two stages. Reward: 2,000 system points."
Lin Feng smiled. "Another challenge, huh? Looks like I'm going to need all the strength I can get."
He closed his eyes, focusing on his cultivation. The road ahead was long, but with the system at his side and Bai Long's guidance, Lin Feng felt confident that nothing could stop him now.
The world would soon learn that the so-called "waste" had become a force to be reckoned with.