The village of Green Hollow was waking up as Liang returned, his body battered and his clothes in tatters. Smoke curled from chimneys, the scent of fresh bread mingling with the crisp morning air. Villagers moved about, carrying baskets or leading livestock, their lives simple and predictable.
Liang paused at the edge of the main path. A part of him wanted to rush home, to process everything that had happened in the safety of his small hut. But he stopped himself. If I want to change my life, I can't hide anymore.
He stepped into the village, his head held high despite the whispers that followed him.
"Look at him, stumbling in at dawn."
"Probably wasted the night chasing ghosts in the forest again."
"Liang? He's harmless. Just let him be."
The words stung, but Liang ignored them, his mind focused on the faint weight of the Qi Core in his pouch and the glowing sigil hidden under his sleeve.
Liang's first stop was Elder Yun's home, a modest hut at the village's center. The elder was the closest thing Green Hollow had to a cultivator—an old man who once trained under a sect but returned to live quietly among commoners. He was respected for his knowledge, even if his power had long since faded.
Liang knocked hesitantly on the wooden door.
"Come in," came a gruff voice.
Inside, Elder Yun sat cross-legged on a worn mat, a cup of tea steaming in his hands. His sharp eyes immediately took in Liang's disheveled state.
"You've been up to something," the elder said, setting his cup down. "Spit it out."
Liang hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. Finally, he pulled the Qi Core from his pouch and held it out.
"I fought a spirit wolf," he said quietly.
Elder Yun's eyes widened. He snatched the core from Liang's hand, inspecting it closely.
"This is genuine," he murmured. "A low-level beast, but still… You? Fighting a spirit wolf?"
Liang nodded. "It attacked me in the forest. I survived because of this."
He rolled up his sleeve, revealing the glowing sigil. Elder Yun's expression darkened as he studied it.
"The mark of a divine treasure," the elder said finally. "Boy, do you have any idea what kind of trouble this will bring you?"
Liang frowned. "Trouble? I thought—"
Elder Yun cut him off with a sharp laugh. "You thought this was a blessing? It is, but it's also a curse. A treasure like this will make you stronger, yes, but it will also make you a target. There are people who would kill you without hesitation to take it for themselves."
Liang's chest tightened. He hadn't considered that. "What should I do?"
The elder sighed. "If you're determined to follow this path, you'll need to leave the village. Green Hollow can't protect you, and staying here will only endanger us all."
Liang's stomach sank. He had lived in the village his entire life. Leaving it was unthinkable.
"You don't have to decide now," Elder Yun said, his tone softening. "For now, focus on growing stronger. Use that Qi Core—it will help you advance. But be careful, boy. Power always comes with a price."
As Liang left Elder Yun's hut, he felt the weight of the elder's words pressing on him. He knew he couldn't stay in Green Hollow forever, but the thought of leaving everything behind filled him with dread.
Back at his hut, Liang sat cross-legged on the floor, the Qi Core resting in his palm. The system screen flickered into view.
Item Detected: Spirit Wolf Qi Core.
Use to increase cultivation progress by 10%.
Do you wish to consume this item?
Liang hesitated. The fight with the spirit wolf had been terrifying, but it had also awakened something in him—a hunger for growth, for strength. He gritted his teeth and made his decision.
"Yes," he whispered.
The Qi Core dissolved in his hand, its energy rushing into his body like a raging river. His chest burned, his veins pulsing as the energy flowed through him, settling into the ember of Qi in his core.
The screen updated:
Progress: 19%
Liang slumped forward, his body trembling from the intensity of the experience. The power was intoxicating, but it also left him feeling vulnerable, as though he had only scratched the surface of what lay ahead.
He had barely recovered when the screen shifted again.
New Task Unlocked: Strengthen Your Foundation.
Objective: Absorb Qi from the environment to stabilize your cultivation base.
Liang groaned. He wanted to rest, but the system clearly had no intention of letting him. With a sigh, he sat up and began to meditate.
That evening, as Liang practiced, a strange sensation washed over him. The Qi around him felt… restless, as though something were stirring in the distance.
The system chimed:
Warning: Strong Qi Signature Detected Nearby.
Liang's eyes snapped open, his heart racing. He grabbed a small knife—his only weapon—and stepped outside.
The village was quiet, but the unease in the air was palpable. He followed the sensation, his steps light and cautious.
At the edge of the forest, he froze. A figure stood among the trees, cloaked in black, their presence radiating a cold, suffocating aura. Liang couldn't see their face, but the way they turned toward him made his blood run cold.
The figure spoke, their voice low and menacing. "The Azure Bloom has chosen you, boy. A pity—it will not remain yours for long."
Liang's fists clenched, the sigil on his hand flaring to life. He didn't know who this person was, but he could feel the weight of their intent.
For the first time, Liang realized just how dangerous his journey would be