The wind was sharp against Liu Chen's skin as he descended from the cliff, his mind racing with thoughts of the mysterious cloaked figure. What did he mean by "guidance"? And what were these "trials" he spoke of? Liu Chen could feel the weight of destiny pressing upon him, but he knew that for now, he had to focus on one thing: his cultivation.
He walked steadily, each step echoing through the quiet valley. The ancient trees surrounding him seemed to whisper with the wind, their leaves shimmering in the golden light of the setting sun. Despite the beauty of the world around him, a nagging feeling of unease lingered in his chest. The encounter with the cloaked figure had unsettled him more than he wanted to admit.
System:
"Host, do not worry. The figure's words are part of your path. You have already begun your cultivation. Focus on refining your body and mind. The system will assist you in your journey."
Liu Chen exhaled slowly. The voice of the Supreme Venerable System was calming, always reminding him of his purpose. It had been with him since his rebirth in this cultivation world, guiding him, giving him tasks to fulfill, and granting him rewards. The system was his only constant, and for now, it was the most reliable source of strength he had.
The path ahead seemed clear—he needed to strengthen his body, complete the Flesh Forging Realm, and move on to the next stage. But there was something more. The Supreme Venerable System had spoken of challenges, of tests. Liu Chen couldn't shake the feeling that his cultivation journey would be more complicated than simply growing stronger. He had to be ready for whatever was coming.
As he walked through the valley, his senses tingled. He could feel the spiritual energy of the world around him, like an invisible current flowing through the air, the grass, and the trees. It was everywhere, waiting to be drawn into his body.
His thoughts shifted to his training. The Flesh Forging Realm was a simple yet essential stage in a cultivator's journey. The purpose of this realm was to purify and strengthen the physical body, making it capable of withstanding more intense spiritual energy as the cultivator progressed. Liu Chen knew that if he wanted to move forward, he needed to first master the basics.
System:
"Host, you must cultivate the Flesh Refining Technique further. This will allow you to solidify the progress you've made and prepare for the Element Gathering Realm. However, you must first gather spiritual energy from your surroundings to continue."
Liu Chen closed his eyes and extended his senses. The spiritual energy in the air around him felt like a vast ocean, its ebb and flow almost hypnotic. He could sense tiny fluctuations in the energy as it interacted with the world—trees, stones, even the very air itself.
The Element Gathering Realm was the next step after refining his body. This stage focused on drawing spiritual energy from the environment and learning to manipulate it. But Liu Chen knew that it would not be easy. Many cultivators failed at this stage, unable to gather enough spiritual energy to advance.
Liu Chen took a deep breath and began to focus. He extended his palm forward, and slowly, he began to draw in the surrounding spiritual energy. At first, the flow was weak, almost imperceptible, but as he focused more, the energy began to build. His body absorbed the energy, storing it in his core, and he could feel the familiar warmth spreading through his veins.
It was a slow process, but Liu Chen didn't mind. The feeling of progress, however small, was enough to motivate him. His body and mind were beginning to synchronize with the world around him. With each passing moment, his control over the spiritual energy became more refined.
System:
"Host has gathered spiritual energy. The Element Gathering Realm is beginning to take shape within your body. Continue to gather energy to reach the 9th Minor Realm. Once you do, your foundation will be solidified."
Liu Chen nodded, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He knew that this was only the beginning. There were many more realms to reach, many more challenges to face. But he was determined to succeed. He would not let the path ahead intimidate him.
As night began to fall, Liu Chen found a quiet spot beside a large rock, the last remnants of the day's light fading away. He sat cross-legged and continued to meditate, drawing in spiritual energy from the environment. Slowly, he felt the energy accumulate within him, reinforcing the strength of his body.
Hours passed, but Liu Chen's concentration never wavered. He was determined to master the Element Gathering Realm, and with every breath, he felt himself drawing closer to his goal.
Then, as the night deepened, he felt something shift. His connection to the spiritual energy grew stronger, more stable. He had reached the 4th Minor Realm of the Element Gathering Realm, and the power within him surged.
His body trembled with the sudden influx of spiritual energy. He could feel it coursing through his veins, settling deep in his dantian, the core of his cultivation. The feeling was overwhelming, but Liu Chen embraced it. He welcomed it, knowing that with each passing moment, he was growing stronger.
The Supreme Venerable System's voice echoed in his mind once more.
System:
"Host, you have unlocked the Spiritual Ocean technique. This allows you to store and channel larger amounts of spiritual energy. Your cultivation has reached the 5th Minor Realm. You are now ready to continue your journey."
Liu Chen's eyes opened, and for the first time, he felt truly powerful. He was ready for what came next. But he knew that this was just a small step in his long journey. There were still countless realms to climb, countless challenges to face.
But for now, he had accomplished something great. And it was only the beginning.
System:
"Host, new tasks are available. Your cultivation will continue to grow, but you must also prepare for external challenges. The world you live in is full of hidden dangers. Cultivation is not just about strength—it is about understanding and overcoming the challenges of the world."
Liu Chen nodded, his heart filled with determination. There was much to learn, but one thing was certain: he would not let anything stand in his way. The path of the cultivator was long and fraught with peril, but Liu Chen was ready to face it head-on.
As the stars glittered above him, Liu Chen stood up, ready to continue his journey toward becoming the Supreme Venerable. He could feel the power within him, and he knew that this was just the beginning of a destiny far greater than he could ever imagine.