The next morning, Lin Feng woke with the dawn, his body aching from the intense training. Yet, there was no time to rest. The system's latest quest weighed heavily on him. He had only two days to increase his cultivation by two stages—a task that would normally be considered impossible for someone at his level.
Bai Long, ever the patient mentor, stood nearby, waiting for Lin Feng to join him. "We will push your limits today," he said, his tone serious. "You may have the system's assistance, but without proper understanding and control, that power will only be a curse."
Lin Feng nodded, his determination unshaken. "I'll do whatever it takes."
Bai Long led him to a secluded area in the woods, where the sounds of nature surrounded them. "We'll begin with the basics. You need to refine your Qi and strengthen the foundation before anything else. Only then can you think about advancing."
Lin Feng stood with his feet firmly planted on the ground, his breathing slow and steady as he began to channel his Qi. The air around him seemed to vibrate, and his internal energy began to pulse in rhythm with the universe. His dantian became a wellspring of energy, his Qi flowing freely through his meridians.
But even as he focused, a subtle pressure began to build. He was pushing harder than ever before, and the strain on his body was immense. His forehead beaded with sweat as he felt his Qi fluctuate—sometimes too forceful, sometimes too weak. He was teetering on the edge of failure.
"Focus!" Bai Long's voice pierced through the air like a whip. "Your Qi is unstable. Find your center."
Lin Feng closed his eyes, pushing past the pain and the pressure. He focused not on the power, but on the harmony of his Qi. Slowly, the turbulence in his body subsided, and a calm, steady flow began to take its place.
The pain didn't disappear, but Lin Feng felt a surge of power ripple through him. His cultivation rose—first one stage, then another. He had done it.
Bai Long watched him silently, nodding in approval. "Good. You've made progress. But this is only the beginning. Now, we move to the next phase."
---
The following hours were spent refining his control. Bai Long had Lin Feng practice circulating Qi through his body at increasing speeds, forcing him to maintain perfect control while pushing his limits. Lin Feng struggled but continued to improve. His body was slowly adjusting to the strain, and his energy felt more potent with each passing minute.
Yet, the system's voice suddenly rang in his ears.
"Quest Update: Time remaining—48 hours. Current progress: 1 stage out of 2. Reward: 2,000 system points."
Lin Feng gritted his teeth. Time was ticking. He couldn't afford to waste a second.
Bai Long turned to him, sensing his growing frustration. "You are pushing yourself too hard," he said softly. "Cultivation is a delicate balance. If you try to force it, you will lose everything."
Lin Feng paused, trying to calm his erratic breathing. He realized Bai Long was right. The more he forced himself, the more his Qi fluctuated. He needed to find balance, to guide his Qi rather than command it.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Feng relaxed. He allowed the Qi to flow naturally through his body, focusing not on the destination, but on the journey itself. Slowly, his cultivation rose again, until he had reached the second stage of Qi Condensation.
---
By the time the sun had set, Lin Feng's body was exhausted, but his heart soared with triumph. He had completed the quest in less than twenty-four hours. The system's reward was a staggering 2,000 system points—more than enough to upgrade his cultivation techniques.
"Quest Complete. Reward: 2,000 system points."
Lin Feng felt the energy surging through him as the system granted him new cultivation techniques, ones that would enhance his control over Qi and accelerate his advancement. With these new techniques, his chances of advancing to the next realm were far greater.
But just as he was about to rejoice, a cold voice echoed through the trees.
"You think you've surpassed me, Lin Feng?"
Lin Tao appeared, his expression twisted with anger and jealousy. His hands were clenched into fists, and his Qi surged around him like a storm. "I warned you, didn't I? I won't allow you to outshine me."
Lin Feng stood tall, his eyes meeting his brother's with calm determination. "You're free to try, Lin Tao. But it won't change the fact that I've already surpassed you."
Lin Tao snarled, his aura exploding outward in a violent rush. "We'll see about that."
With a sudden movement, he lunged at Lin Feng, his Qi forming a powerful weapon that shot toward him like a spear. Lin Feng's body moved instinctively. He had no time to think—only to act.
Bai Long appeared in an instant, stepping between the two brothers with a sharp, commanding voice. "Enough, Lin Tao. This will be the last time you challenge Lin Feng."
The pressure of Bai Long's Qi was immense, and Lin Tao faltered, stepping back with an unwilling sneer. "This isn't over," he muttered before turning to leave.
Lin Feng exhaled deeply, his heart still racing from the confrontation. He had barely managed to defend himself, and he knew that his brother wasn't someone he could easily defeat—not yet.
Bai Long turned to Lin Feng, his expression as calm as ever. "Do not let your brother's words disturb your focus. There will be many challenges ahead, but with patience and determination, you will overcome them all."
Lin Feng nodded, grateful for his mentor's guidance. "I'll keep moving forward. No one will stop me."
---
Later that night, Lin Feng sat alone in his room, reflecting on the day's events. He had surpassed his limits, but there was still so much more to achieve. His cultivation had grown, but so had the challenges in his path. Lin Tao's jealousy was just the beginning.
The system's voice broke his thoughts.
"Quest Update: New task assigned. Eliminate a rival cultivator and obtain a new technique."
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow. "A rival cultivator?"
"Quest: Eliminate Chen Wei, a cultivator at the 3rd stage of Qi Condensation. Reward: Rare technique, 3,000 system points."
Lin Feng smirked. It seemed like the system was pushing him to face greater threats. But that was fine—he was ready. With the reward of a rare technique waiting for him, there was no turning back now.
He stood up, the fire of ambition burning brightly in his heart. No one would be able to stop him—not his family, not his rivals, and certainly not his past.
The journey to power had only just begun.