The morning sun filtered through the cracks in the hut, casting uneven beams of light on Ji Yuan's face. His body ached from the night's cultivation, but there was a faint trace of energy flowing through his veins now—an improvement over the stagnant state of the original body.
Ji Xiaoxi stirred from her sleep, rubbing her eyes with her small fists. "Papa… you didn't sleep?"
Ji Yuan smiled warmly. "Papa was training. I have to get stronger to protect you, remember?"
Her face lit up at his words, but her stomach growled before she could respond. She blushed, clutching her belly.
Ji Yuan's smile faltered. Food. They had barely enough to survive. This wouldn't do. He needed resources—not just for cultivating but for keeping Ji Xiaoxi healthy and happy. He had inherited the original Ji Yuan's meager knowledge of herbs, but that alone wouldn't sustain them.
DING!
New Task: Provide Ji Xiaoxi with a proper meal.
Reward: Minor Stamina Boost
Time Limit: 6 hours
Ji Yuan snorted. The system seemed to enjoy giving him simple but necessary tasks. Standing up, he stretched and patted Xiaoxi's head. "Stay here and play for a bit. Papa will go find something good to eat."
Her eyes widened in concern. "Papa, you're hurt... what if Uncle Zhang comes back?"
Ji Yuan crouched down and met her gaze, his voice firm. "No one will hurt you. Papa promises."
She nodded reluctantly, holding her doll tighter as Ji Yuan left the hut.
---
The Forest and a Lesson in Ruthlessness
The forest near the village was dense, filled with the cries of birds and the occasional rustle of small animals. Ji Yuan moved cautiously, his senses heightened after last night's cultivation. The Basic Cultivation Technique had improved his stamina slightly, allowing him to endure longer walks.
As he scanned the area for edible plants or small prey, voices reached his ears.
"Old man, hand it over! We know you've been hiding spirit herbs!"
Hiding behind a tree, Ji Yuan peered out to see three men surrounding an elderly herb gatherer. The leader, a burly man with a crooked scar on his face, was at the Qi Refinement Realm, Stage 2. His two lackeys were at Stage 1.
The old man trembled, clutching a satchel. "P-please, these herbs are for my grandson. He's sick—"
"Then he'll just have to stay sick!" The leader laughed cruelly, snatching the satchel from the old man's hands.
Ji Yuan's grip tightened around the wooden stick he had brought for protection. In his past life, he had been a ruthless negotiator, someone who never hesitated to crush competition. But this was different. This was a world where strength ruled. If he wanted to protect Xiaoxi, he couldn't afford to be soft.
---
The Ambush
The three men walked deeper into the forest, laughing and dividing the contents of the satchel. Ji Yuan followed them silently, his footsteps light. When they stopped to inspect their loot, he struck.
The stick swung with precision, cracking against the head of one of the lackeys. The man crumpled instantly, unconscious before he hit the ground.
"What the—?!" The leader spun around, only to catch a blow to his ribs. Ji Yuan poured every ounce of strength into the attack, forcing the man to stumble back with a grunt.
The remaining lackey lunged at Ji Yuan, but his movements were slow and uncoordinated. Ji Yuan sidestepped, slamming the stick into the man's kneecap. A sickening crack echoed through the forest as the lackey screamed, collapsing in agony.
The leader, recovering from the initial blow, roared and charged. Despite the disparity in cultivation levels, Ji Yuan's determination outweighed his fear. He dodged the first punch and drove the stick into the man's stomach, knocking the wind out of him.
As the leader fell to his knees, Ji Yuan grabbed him by the collar, his voice cold. "Touch anyone else in this village again, and I'll make sure you don't walk away next time."
The man's eyes widened in terror. "W-we won't! Please, spare me!"
Ji Yuan released him with a shove. "Leave. Now."
The leader scrambled to his feet, dragging his injured lackey with him. The unconscious one was left behind as the two fled.
---
Unexpected Generosity
The old man approached cautiously, his face a mix of gratitude and fear. "Y-you saved me..."
Ji Yuan nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. "They won't bother you again. Now, about those spirit herbs..."
The old man hesitated, then opened his satchel. "I-I don't have much, but please take these as thanks."
Ji Yuan inspected the herbs. Most were low-grade, but one—a small, glowing red root—caught his attention. It was a Fire Qi Root, a valuable resource for cultivating in the early stages of the Qi Refinement Realm.
He accepted the herbs with a polite nod. "Thank you. Take care of yourself."
The old man bowed deeply before leaving, his gratitude evident.
---
A Feast and a Breakthrough
Back at the hut, Ji Yuan prepared a simple but hearty meal using the herbs and some wild vegetables he had gathered. Ji Xiaoxi's eyes sparkled as she ate, her cheeks puffing out like a chipmunk.
"Papa, this is so good!" she exclaimed, giggling.
DING!
Task Completed: Provide Ji Xiaoxi with a proper meal. Reward: Minor Stamina Boost.
Ji Yuan felt a surge of energy course through him. After Xiaoxi had fallen asleep that night, he sat down to cultivate again. Using the Fire Qi Root, he focused his energy, guiding it through his meridians as instructed by the Basic Cultivation Technique.
The process was painful, like molten fire coursing through his veins, but Ji Yuan gritted his teeth and endured. By dawn, he had broken through to the Qi Refinement Realm, Stage 2.
---
End of Chapter Stats
Cultivation Realms:
1. Body Tempering Realm (1-9 Stages)
2. Qi Refinement Realm (1-9 Stages)
3. Foundation Establishment Realm (1-9 Stages)
4. Core Formation Realm (1-9 Stages)
5. Nascent Soul Realm (1-9 Stages)
6. Soul Condensation Realm (1-9 Stages)
7. Spirit King Realm (1-9 Stages)
8. Spirit Emperor Realm (1-9 Stages)
9. Saint Realm (1-9 Stages)
10. Immortal Realm (1-9 Stages)
11. Celestial Realm (1-9 Stages)
12. Divine Ascension Realm (1-9 Stages)
13. Eternal Realm (1-9 Stages)
14. Godhood Realm (1-9 Stages)
Skill Levels:
1. Beginner
2. Intermediate
3. Advanced
4. Master
5. Grandmaster
Current Status:
Ji Yuan: Qi Refinement Realm, Stage 2
Ji Xiaoxi: Mortal, No Cultivation
System Rewards Earned:
Basic Cultivation Technique (Mortal Tier)
Minor Stamina Boost