The following morning, Wei Liang awoke to the sound of a loud gong echoing through the outer disciples' quarters. Bleary-eyed, he stumbled out of bed, his muscles still sore from the trials. Around him, other newly admitted disciples were hastily dressing, their excitement palpable despite their exhaustion.
"First day," one of them said with a nervous chuckle. "They'll probably break us before lunch."
Wei Liang smiled faintly but said nothing. His mind was racing. Today, he would finally begin cultivating—truly cultivating—and he wasn't sure whether to feel excited or terrified.
He stepped outside into the crisp mountain air. The outer disciples had been assigned to a small, stone-paved courtyard at the base of the Jade Peak. Above them, the inner sect's grand halls loomed like palaces among the clouds, unreachable for now.
Elder Yan stood at the front of the courtyard, his sharp gaze sweeping over the gathered disciples. Beside him was another elder, a woman with a serene expression and a flowing jade-green robe.
"Disciples," Elder Yan began, his voice as commanding as ever, "you have passed the initiation trials, but do not let this fool you into thinking you have achieved anything yet. The path of cultivation is long and treacherous, and only the diligent and the strong will rise to the top."
The other elder stepped forward, her tone softer but no less firm. "Today, you will learn the basics of Qi Condensation, the first step in the cultivation process. Without Qi, you are no better than mortals. With it, you will begin to unlock the true potential of your body and spirit."
She raised a hand, and the disciples fell silent. "Sit."
Wei Liang quickly followed the others, crossing his legs on the cold stone floor. The elder continued.
"The first step is to sense the Qi in your surroundings. It is all around you—in the air, the earth, the rivers, and the sky. Close your eyes and focus. Let your breathing become steady. Imagine a stream of energy flowing into your body."
Wei Liang closed his eyes and tried to focus. The System chimed softly in his mind.
[Guided Meditation Protocol Activated. Assisting Host in Qi Detection.]
Almost immediately, he felt a faint tingling sensation, like tiny sparks dancing across his skin. He focused harder, and the sensation grew stronger. It was strange, like something invisible was brushing against him, urging him to let it in.
[Qi Detected. Begin Absorption?]
"Yes," Wei Liang whispered under his breath, earning a puzzled glance from the disciple next to him.
Suddenly, warmth spread through his body, starting at his fingertips and toes and slowly pooling in his chest. It was like drinking the purest water after a lifetime of thirst.
Around him, other disciples were struggling. Some groaned in frustration, their brows furrowed as they failed to sense anything. Others looked pale, their bodies trembling under the strain of forcing Qi into themselves.
"Do not rush," the elder instructed. "Forcing the Qi will only harm your meridians. Patience is the key."
Wei Liang let out a slow breath, allowing the Qi to flow naturally. The System chimed again.
[Progressing to Stage 1 of Qi Condensation. Dantian Initialized.]
He felt a shift deep within his body, as though a small pool had opened in his lower abdomen. The Qi began to settle there, swirling gently like a growing storm.
Elder Yan's voice interrupted his concentration. "Now, focus on stabilizing your dantian. Do not allow the Qi to scatter."
Wei Liang did as instructed, guided by the System's prompts. Minutes passed, and when he finally opened his eyes, he realized he was drenched in sweat. His limbs felt heavy, but there was a strange lightness in his chest, a sense of power that hadn't been there before.
---
By the end of the session, the elders began evaluating the disciples one by one. When they reached Wei Liang, the female elder placed a hand on his shoulder, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him.
"You've stabilized your Qi remarkably well for a first attempt," she said, her tone carrying a note of surprise. "Your spiritual root is weak, but your foundation is solid. If you continue at this pace, you might actually survive in this sect."
Wei Liang bowed deeply. "Thank you, Elder."
As she moved on, Wei Liang couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. For the first time, he felt like he belonged here.
---
Later that evening, the disciples were given their first task: gather spirit herbs from the lower slopes of the Jade Peak. The task was meant to teach them about the sect's resources and strengthen their bond with the environment, but Wei Liang suspected it was also a way to weed out the lazy and incompetent.
Armed with a simple iron knife and a list of herbs, he set out into the forest with a small group of other disciples. The woods were dense and alive with the hum of insects and the distant calls of spirit beasts.
"This place feels... different," one of the disciples muttered as they walked.
Wei Liang nodded. The air here was thicker, more charged. The Qi in the forest was far denser than in the courtyard, and he could feel it pressing against his skin.
Suddenly, a rustling noise came from the bushes ahead. The group froze, their hands tightening on their knives.
"What was that?" one of the disciples whispered.
A moment later, a low growl echoed through the trees, and a creature stepped into view. It was a spirit beast—a large, wolf-like creature with fur that shimmered like moonlight and glowing red eyes.
The disciples panicked, stumbling backward. "That's a Silverfang Wolf!" someone shouted. "It's too strong for us!"
The wolf snarled and lunged, its claws flashing in the dim light. Wei Liang didn't think—he just moved.
[Combat Assistance Activated.]
The System's prompt filled his mind as his body reacted on instinct. He ducked under the wolf's claws and slashed at its side with his knife. The blade barely left a scratch, but the beast yelped and leaped back, glaring at him with fury.
"Focus your Qi into your strike!" the System urged.
Wei Liang gritted his teeth, channeling the faint warmth in his dantian into his arm. When the wolf attacked again, he sidestepped and drove his knife into its shoulder. This time, the blade sank deep, and the wolf howled in pain.
The other disciples finally found their courage and rushed forward, overwhelming the beast with their combined efforts. Within moments, the wolf collapsed, blood pooling beneath it.
Panting, Wei Liang stepped back, his hands trembling. The other disciples stared at him, their expressions a mix of awe and gratitude.
"That was incredible," one of them said. "You saved us."
Wei Liang shook his head, still catching his breath. "We worked together. That's why we won."
As they collected the herbs and began their trek back to the sect, the System chimed softly.
[Quest Complete: Herb Gathering.]
[Reward: Minor Qi Refinement Elixir.]
Wei Liang allowed himself a small smile. His first day as a cultivator had been more challenging than he expected, but he had survived. And in this world, survival was the first step to greatness.
Tomorrow, he would push even further.