Months had passed since Liang began his journey to uncover the mysteries of his enigmatic system. Every moment spent training and every thought invested in analyzing the phenomena within the luminous sphere brought him closer to understanding the system's nature, yet simultaneously made things increasingly complex.
Reaching the third level was no simple feat. Liang had spent weeks searching for sources of spiritual energy in his surroundings, often wandering through the forests near his small village. However, he didn't realize that achieving this milestone would mark the beginning of entirely new challenges.
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[System]
[Level 3: Dimensional Gateway]
*Required Units: 100 spiritual energy units.
*New Abilities Unlocked:
1.The ability to transport inanimate objects into the plot of land within the sphere.
2.The ability to personally enter the inner dimension.
*Warning: System Notification: "The host possesses spiritual roots connected to the five elements. While these are common among Taoists, they are highly versatile. However, more specialized roots, such as ice or lightning, can surpass them in power."
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When Liang closed his eyes for the first time after reaching the third level, he felt a powerful connection between his soul and the system. By focusing on the glowing sphere within his body, he was suddenly drawn into a strange new dimension.
Liang stood in awe. The plot of land, initially just a single square meter, had now expanded to five square meters. The soil glowed with a spiritual radiance, pulsating as if alive, responding to his presence.
"This... is my world?" Liang asked, his voice trembling. The system responded swiftly:
"This is your inner dimension. You can develop it into a livable habitat, but to do so, you must cultivate your spiritual roots tied to the five elements."
The system explained that Liang's spiritual roots, though not rare, were incredibly versatile. They corresponded to the five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and metal. Each root had unique properties that could shape the environment within the inner dimension. The challenge was that cultivating these roots required direct interaction with natural elements in the outside world.
The system provided Liang with a simple foundational exercise: meditation to extract elemental energy from his surroundings. What seemed like an easy task on paper turned out to demand hours of intense focus in areas rich with these elements.
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System Notification: "Cultivating your spiritual roots is not only essential for developing your inner world, but also crucial if you intend to introduce living beings into this dimension. They cannot survive without a suitable habitat."
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While Liang invested significant time in his system, his real-world life was equally challenging. With his mother unwell and the responsibility of caring for his seven-year-old sister, he had to work tirelessly to support his family.
Liang had abandoned his university studies years ago due to their financial struggles. Though he dreamed of financial independence and someday reclining in comfort on his own property, reality was harsh. He worked in nearby farms and contributed to building walls around the villages to protect them from the increasing number of spiritual beasts.
The weight of responsibility bore down on Liang, but he didn't give up. Instead, he saw the system as his chance to fulfill his dream. If he could fully harness its potential, he might one day lift the burden from his family.
In recent months, rumors of martial artist clans had begun to spread. These clans, hidden for decades, were now emerging with the government's support to combat the growing threat of spiritual beasts.
The government also began releasing basic martial techniques to the public, such as:
1.The Horse Stance: A foundational exercise for balance and body strength.
2.Qi Absorption Techniques: Strategies for extracting spiritual energy from the environment.
3.Dantian Building: Methods for developing the energy reservoir beneath the navel.
Although Liang wasn't ready to join any of these clans, he was astute enough to benefit from the training. He began practicing the basics at home, using television broadcasts as his primary source of instruction.
"I can't take unnecessary risks. The world is changing rapidly, and if I don't learn how to protect myself and my family, we won't survive."
Progressing to the Fourth Level: The Greatest Challenge Yet
As Liang continued meditating and nurturing his spiritual roots, he noticed a significant slowdown in his ability to absorb energy. A new message from the system appeared:
Warning: Energy absorption rate has decreased to 1/300 per additional unit.
Despite the difficulty, Liang managed to reach the critical threshold of 200 units. Suddenly, he felt a powerful vibration resonate within his soul, and the glowing sphere within him radiated with an intense light.
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[System]:
[Level 4: Building Life]
*Required Units: 200 spiritual energy units.
*New Abilities Unlocked:
1.Expansion of the inner land to 10 square meters.
2.The ability to modify the terrain within the inner world.
3.The ability to create a sustainable habitat for living organisms.
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The Next Steps
As Liang marveled at the changes within his inner dimension, he realized the journey ahead was still daunting. His world was growing, but it required more than just spiritual energy. He needed a clear strategy and tools to help him cultivate his spiritual roots more efficiently.
"If I want to succeed, I must find a way to overcome my current limitations. The outside world is full of opportunities... but also dangers."
Despite all the hardships, Liang remained determined to continue his journey, fueled by his dream of building a world he could truly call his own.
End of Chapter Seven