Location: Primordial Nexus
The soft glow of the System Panel flickered in front of Xiao Chen, casting ethereal light across the vast cavern around him. It was no longer the simple, dark space he had fallen into by chance. Now, it was alive with potential, a nexus between the realms. The faint hum of energy vibrated through the air, a constant reminder that his journey was about to begin.
The voice of the Primordial Life System resonated in his mind, both comforting and commanding, a presence that filled his very being.
"Xiao Chen, your path has only just begun. Rise to meet your destiny. Complete the trials, and you shall unlock the true power needed to restore the Xiao Clan to its former glory."
Xiao Chen stood frozen, his heart racing with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. He had known this moment would come—he had felt the stirrings of something greater within him—but the weight of the voice, the gravity of his task, now made it real.
"Trials?" he whispered, his voice barely audible as he gazed into the empty space before him. "What trials?"
The voice of the system echoed again, unwavering. "The first trial you will face is one of survival and combat. To gain mastery over your power, you must defeat three guardians of this realm. Each guardian embodies a critical aspect of cultivation—each will test your strength in a different way."
Xiao Chen's gaze sharpened. This wasn't just another sparring match. These guardians weren't mere opponents—they were embodiments of cultivation itself. Xiao Chen's experiences in the Xiao Clan had been limited to training against his fellow clan members, small skirmishes for honor, but never had he faced such a daunting challenge.
"The guardians you must defeat will test you physically, mentally, and spiritually," the system continued, as a shimmering portal materialized before him. Beyond the swirling light, Xiao Chen saw an expanse unlike anything he had ever imagined—strange, alien landscapes filled with dangerous creatures and treacherous terrain. "The first guardian awaits. Step forward."
Xiao Chen didn't hesitate. The moment he stepped into the portal, the world around him changed. The air grew dense, as if it were alive, pushing against him from all sides. His breath quickened as the oppressive energy weighed down on him. It felt as though unseen eyes were watching, judging him.
Before him stood a desolate wasteland. Barren stone stretched endlessly in all directions, remnants of ancient structures scattered like forgotten memories. In the distance, a figure loomed, massive and imposing. It moved with slow, deliberate steps, and with each one, the earth trembled.
"This is the Essence Guardian," the system's voice announced, sending a chill down Xiao Chen's spine. "It embodies the core of cultivation itself—essence. This trial will test your control over your qi. It will seek to disrupt your flow and break your concentration. To succeed, your qi must be pure, adaptive, and unwavering."
Xiao Chen's fists clenched at his sides. He felt the familiar stirrings of his qi rising from within, a deep well of power that had been waiting to be tapped. His heart beat in rhythm with the pulse of his cultivation, the flow of qi that was becoming more natural to him with each passing second. For the first time, he could feel the system's influence. He was no longer the weak, untested boy who had stumbled into this place. He had been transformed.
Though still at the Mid Level of Qi Condensation, Xiao Chen could feel his power beginning to surge beyond its normal limits. The accelerated cultivation granted by the system was already at work, pushing him beyond his previous boundaries.
He could feel the weight of the challenge ahead. This wasn't simply about overcoming an opponent—this was about mastering himself, mastering his own power.
As he stood, focusing on his qi, the Essence Guardian's form grew clearer. The towering figure was an embodiment of raw energy, its skin like molten rock, swirling with the very essence of cultivation itself. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and with each step it took, the air around it shimmered and rippled.
"To defeat it, you must not only use your strength," the system intoned. "You must control the flow of your qi, adapt to its presence, and find a way to break through its defenses."
Xiao Chen tightened his stance. He had practiced, trained for years, but now he would face the greatest test of all: controlling his qi when it was being directly challenged. The Guardian was not simply a monster—it was the manifestation of essence itself, and it would break him if he faltered.
The Guardian raised its massive hand, a movement that sent tremors through the ground. Xiao Chen didn't flinch; he was ready. Without warning, the Guardian's fist descended toward him, the very air distorting with the force of its motion.
Xiao Chen reacted instinctively. His body flowed like water as he sidestepped the attack, his qi coursing through him, enhancing his agility. He could feel the force of the blow even as he avoided it—the air itself seemed to recoil from the Guardian's power. He wasn't just evading its attacks. He was learning, adapting.
He took a deep breath, centering his focus. The air around him seemed to bend with his will as he called upon his qi, shaping it into a solid force. He struck back with his own energy, sending a wave of force toward the Guardian. The collision sent a shockwave through the air, rippling the ground beneath Xiao Chen's feet.
For a moment, the Guardian staggered, the light in its eyes flickering. Xiao Chen pressed his advantage, his mind focused on nothing but his qi, guiding it with precision as he pushed against the massive entity before him. He could feel the resistance—every time he struck, it fought back, but the more he pressed, the more control he gained.
He didn't need to overpower it. He needed to master the flow.
The Guardian, sensing his resolve, shifted its tactics. The air around it seemed to distort, its energy fluctuating wildly. Xiao Chen could feel it—a surge of raw, unrefined energy aimed at disrupting his qi. It sought to break him, to overwhelm his focus.
But Xiao Chen stood firm. His body was the conduit for his qi, and his will was its master. He adjusted his stance, channeling the energy within himself, focusing every thought, every breath on maintaining his flow.
The battle between the two raged on, the Essence Guardian and Xiao Chen locked in a battle of wills, a struggle to control the very essence of life. Each strike from the Guardian was met with a wave of energy from Xiao Chen, each movement of the Guardian's massive form blocked by the subtle precision of his qi.
Then, in a final, decisive moment, Xiao Chen channeled every ounce of his energy into a single point, gathering his qi into a concentrated strike. He thrust his hand forward, and the force of his energy collided with the Guardian's chest, shattering the shimmering form of the essence-based creature. The ground trembled, and a brilliant flash of light filled the air.
The Essence Guardian fell, its form disintegrating into particles of light, fading away into nothingness.
Xiao Chen stood there, breathing heavily, his body trembling with exertion. The pressure in the air lifted, and the world around him seemed to settle. He had passed the first trial.
The system's voice resonated once more, soft but satisfied. "You have passed the Essence Guardian's trial. Your control over your qi has been tested, and you have proven yourself worthy. Your cultivation has deepened."
Xiao Chen closed his eyes, letting out a slow breath. His body ached, his muscles sore from the strain, but the feeling of accomplishment surged through him. The trial had only just begun, and yet he could already feel the path ahead becoming clearer.
"Next," he whispered to himself, ready for whatever came next.
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System Panel:
1. Cultivation
Level: Qi Condensation (Mid) [500/200 Exp]
Next Level: Qi Condensation (Small Success)
Speed: +1.5x faster growth
2. Skills
Swordsmanship: Entry (EXP: 20/100)
Alchemy: Entry (EXP: 15/100)
Fist Techniques: Entry (EXP: 10/100)
EXP Gain: +5 per sparring, +10 per potion
3. Professions
Alchemy: Entry (EXP: 30/100)
Forging/Beast Taming/Formations: Unlearned
EXP Gain: +10 per potion, +2 per forging attempt
4. Quests
Main Task: Restore Xiao Clan
Side Tasks:
Explore (+20 EXP)
Train Allies (+15 EXP)
Defeat Rivals (+30 EXP)
Refine Materials (+25 EXP)