The Five Stages of Qi Mastery
With martial arts gaining prominence across society, a clearer understanding of the Five Stages of Qi was established. It became apparent that each stage consisted of nine distinct levels, each representing a progression toward the next stage. This revelation reshaped how practitioners approached their training, emphasizing that merely reaching a stage wasn't enough; mastery of its levels was essential.
The five stages and their subdivisions were as follows:
1. Foundation Stage:
Levels 1–9: Building the physical and spiritual base to absorb Qi. Each level enhances the body's capacity to handle internal energy.Reaching Level 9 marks the first connection between the practitioner's body and the surrounding energy.
2. Qi Formation:
Levels 1–9: The practitioner begins forming Qi within the dantian, expanding their ability to store energy.
3. Core Formation:
Levels 1–9: Development of a complete energy circuit within the body. This stage unlocks the use of basic combat techniques.
4. Spiritual Enlightenment:
Levels 1–9: The soul begins interacting with the spiritual world, granting the practitioner a deeper understanding of natural energy.
5. Grand Stage:
Levels 1–9: Achieved by the elite, this stage allows the practitioner to wield immense power, influencing their surroundings and reshaping the flow of energy itself.
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Despite Liang's progress with his abilities, his real-life challenges weighed heavily on him. Working long hours at Mr. Yu's shop left him drained both physically and mentally.
"I just want a single day to rest—no money problems, no dangers, no responsibilities."
But life didn't afford him such luxuries. His mother's anxiety about their future grew daily, and his seven-year-old sister, Su Ying, deserved a proper education to secure a better life. Liang was determined to sacrifice whatever it took to support his family.
One day, while working at the shop, a young man around Liang's age entered. He wore plain clothes, but his confident eyes betrayed a hidden depth.
"You're Liang Shen, right? I heard you've started training in martial arts."
His name was Yu Feng, a junior member of one of the hidden clans. Despite his modest appearance, Yu Feng exuded an air of ambition. He made Liang an offer:
"I can show you faster ways to progress, but it means you'll owe me a favor someday."
Liang hesitated at first. Trusting strangers didn't come easily, especially those who appeared to have ulterior motives. However, he knew he needed every advantage he could get and cautiously accepted the offer.
Yu Feng introduced Liang to new training methods designed to accelerate his progress in the Foundation Stage. The techniques were grueling, pushing Liang's already weary body to its limits.
"Qi strength isn't just about physical training. You need harmony between your soul and body. Focus on your dantian, but never neglect your inner strength."
One of the techniques Yu Feng taught him was the Closed Circle Breathing Technique, which allowed Qi to accumulate in the dantian faster. However, overusing it came with painful side effects that Liang struggled to endure.
One night, as Liang closed his eyes to meditate and connected with the glowing sphere within his soul, he noticed something extraordinary. The small sprout that had emerged on the patch of land inside the sphere now shimmered with a faint glow. It had grown slightly, and something new appeared—a mysterious light resembling a map.
When he concentrated on this map-like glow, he realized it could lead him to areas rich in spiritual energy. For the first time, the Cosmic Seed displayed a practical benefit.
"If I can find these locations, I might be able to speed up my progress."
Meanwhile, the hidden clans of martial artists started to surface for the first time in ages. The government, recognizing the ongoing threat of spiritual beasts, sought alliances with these powerful groups to protect humanity.
However, not all clans were cooperative. Some wished to maintain their secrecy, while others believed that sharing their knowledge could strengthen humanity as a whole.
"Knowledge is power, but in the wrong hands, it can destroy everything."
Tensions began to rise as factions within the clans debated the path forward.
Amidst these turbulent times, Liang Shen found himself at a crossroads. He understood that relying solely on publicly available martial arts techniques wouldn't be enough to protect his family. At the same time, he knew the Cosmic Seed held the key to his true growth, even if its secrets were still unfolding.
He decided to take a dual approach: continue learning general techniques from government broadcasts while using the Cosmic Seed as a guide to uncovering a unique path forward.
End of Chapter Six
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What secrets does the Cosmic Seed hold? Will Liang find the strength to protect those he loves in a world increasingly dominated by powerful clans and mystical beasts?
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