The morning sun barely pierced the thick crimson mist that clung to the gorge.
After their harrowing battle against the First Shadow Demon, Li Wei and Zhang Hao found a momentary reprieve.
But the silence of the gorge was not comforting; it was foreboding.
Li Wei sat cross-legged on a flat rock, his breathing steady but his mind turbulent.
The system chimed in his head, its cold, mechanical voice cutting through his thoughts.
[System Notification: Task Assigned – Strengthen Cultivation by Overcoming Inner Doubts.
Time Limit: 12 Hours.
Spiritual Energy Absorption in Progress.]
Is there also a time limit ? I looked at the system again.
Spiritual mana is important for me to cultivate as fast as I can.
I looked at my current cultivation rank in the system
[Mortal Realms
1. Spirit Ember
-The awakening of the spirit energy, like a small flame ignited within.
-Learn to control basic spirit energy.
2. Moonlit beginner
-The spiritual energy condenses into a "seed," representing the potential for growth under the guidance of the moon's light.
-Overcome internal fears and refine the seed.
3.Silver medal
-The seed blooms into a radiant flower, signifying the first step toward spiritual enlightenment.
-Conquer external adversaries to test resolve.
Warrior Realms
4. Shadow Warden
-Spirit energy is tempered for battle, and warriors can cloak themselves in protective auras.
-Survive a life-or-death combat scenario.
5.Dusk Sentinel
-Mastery of the balance between offense and defense.
-Defend against overwhelming odds.
(Current rank)
6.Lunar Vanguard
-Spirit warriors become champions of the moon's light, able to command their energy with precision.
-Defeat a system-assigned opponent in a symbolic battle.]
To break through the next level of my cultivation the Ethereal Realms, I need to earn battle points to unlock the achievement.
With my current rank I should be able to complete my current task, but I need to restore my memory and strength.
Li Wei closed his eyes, focusing on the lingering warmth of energy coursing through his body.
The battle with the demon had unlocked fragments of his past strength, but they were a pale shadow of his former self.
His doubts gnawed at him, threatening to unravel his focus.
"Li Wei," Zhang Hao's voice interrupted.
"We can't stay here for long. Xu Wanyu's forces could be tracking us even now."
Li Wei opened his eyes, meeting Zhang Hao's steady gaze.
"I need time to cultivate. If I don't push forward now, we'll be at a severe disadvantage."
Zhang Hao frowned but nodded.
"Fine. I'll stand guard. But make it quick."
As Zhang Hao moved to patrol the area, Li Wei refocused.
The system chimed again, this time with a different tone.
[System Notification: Energy Source from Past Life Detected.
Commencing Integration with Current Spiritual Path.
Estimated Increase: 10% Power Restoration.]
Li Wei felt a surge of warmth within him, a pulse of energy that resonated with his very soul.
Images of his past life flooded his mind—battles fought, allies lost, and the shadow of Wu Shang looming over everything.
The system's voice guided him through the process in front of me with the screening.
[System Analysis: Energy Blockage Detected.
To Unlock Full Potential, Confront Emotional Doubt.
Memory Fragment Triggered: Elder Tian Qiu.]
The lost spirits are always sent by the Wu Shang. I will have more advantage if I devour all those shadow spirits.
The scene shifted.
Li Wei found himself standing in a vast hall, the air thick with the scent of incense and the faint hum of elemental energy.
Before him stood Elder Tian Qiu, his once-powerful mentor, a man whose mastery of the elements was unmatched.
"Lian Shen," Elder Tian Qiu's voice echoed.
"You wield immense potential, but your doubt weakens you.
Until you master yourself, you will never master your power."
Li Wei, now Lian Shen in this memory, clenched his fists.
"I failed. I failed to save Xiao Xue. I failed to stop Wu Shang. How can I call myself worthy of this power?"
Tian Qiu's gaze was piercing.
"Failure is not the end. It is a beginning. Rise, or be consumed by the shadows you fear."
Li Wei's eyes snapped open.
The memory faded, but the lesson lingered.
His doubts had been chains binding his soul, but he could feel those chains loosening.
Energy surged within him as the system chimed once more.
[System Notification: Memory Fragment Integration Successful.
Energy Pathway Unblocked. Current Strength: 26%.]
Zhang Hao returned, his blades glinting in the faint light.
"You've been sitting there for hours. Did you make any progress?"
Li Wei rose, his stance more confident than before.
"I did. Let's move. The gorge won't wait for us."
As they pressed deeper into the Crimson Gorge, the atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive.
The ground beneath their feet seemed to pulse with an unnatural rhythm, and the air carried a metallic tang.
"Xu Wanyu's sorcery," Zhang Hao muttered.
"She's using blood magic to warp this place."
Li Wei's senses were on high alert.
He could feel the remnants of Wu Shang's influence, a dark stain that tainted the gorge.
But another sensation stirred within him, a faint pull that seemed to guide his steps.
"There's something here," Li Wei said, stopping abruptly.
Zhang Hao raised an eyebrow. "Something good or something bad?"
Li Wei closed his eyes, focusing on the pull.
The system chimed in his mind.
[System Notification: Spiritual Herb Detected.
Vitality Orchid.
Effect: Enhances Spiritual Energy Absorption by 10%.
Task Updated: Retrieve the Vitality Orchid While Avoiding Traps.]
"A herb," Li Wei said, opening his eyes.
"It'll help my cultivation."
Zhang Hao sighed.
"Fine. But if this gets us killed, I'll haunt you in the afterlife."
The path to the herb was fraught with danger.
As they approached the source of the pull, the ground trembled, and faint red runes lit up around them.
"Traps," Zhang Hao hissed, drawing his blades.
Li Wei's eyes scanned the area. The system chimed again.
[System Notification: Trap Analysis Complete.
Solution: Disrupt the Energy Flow by Striking Key Runes.
Task Assigned: Coordinate with Ally to Deactivate Traps.]
"The runes," Li Wei said. "If we strike them simultaneously, we can deactivate the traps."
Zhang Hao nodded.
"Tell me where to hit."
Li Wei pointed to three glowing runes etched into the rocks.
"I'll take the left; you handle the other two."
The two moved swiftly.
Zhang Hao's blades struck with precision, while Li Wei channeled his energy into a focused strike.
The runes flickered, then faded, and the trembling stopped.
"Well done," Zhang Hao said, sheathing his blades.
"Let's grab that herb and go."
At the heart of a small clearing, bathed in a faint golden light, the Vitality Orchid stood.
Its petals shimmered like liquid sunlight, and the air around it felt alive.
Li Wei stepped forward, reverence in his movements.
As he plucked the herb, the system chimed.
[System Notification: Vitality Orchid Acquired.
Spiritual Energy Absorption Increased by 10%.
Total: 13%. Task Complete.]
Before they could celebrate, the ground erupted.
From the shadows emerged a monstrous figure, its form even more grotesque than the First Demon ( lost spirit sent by Shadow Devourer).
Crimson veins pulsed across its dark skin, and its eyes burned with malevolent intent.
"Another servant of Wu Shang," Li Wei said, his voice steady but his heart pounding.
Zhang Hao drew his blades, his expression grim.
"We've fought one before. We can do it again."
[System Notification: Enemy Detected – Bloodbound Demon.
Weakness: Elemental Energy Infusion.
Task Assigned: Defeat the Bloodbound Demon.]
Li Wei summoned his energy, the ethereal lotus blooming around him once more.
He had no choice but to fight. Failure here would mean death, not just for him but for Zhang Hao as well.
"Together," Li Wei said, his voice resolute.
"Together," Zhang Hao echoed, and they charged into battle.