### Chapter 19: Foundations of Power
The sun was setting over the horizon as Adam woke up, the aches in his body suddenly reminding him of the brutal training session of the previous night. Lian's words echoed in his mind: * "Potential means nothing without discipline." *
He rose from the cold warehouse floor with stiff muscles but firm determination. He was learning quickly, both from Lian's training and her relentless analysis of the system.
< ** System Alert: Physical and combat skills are improving. The host is advised to continue training to improve his skills. ** >
Adam smiled. "Yes, I suspected that."
But Lian's mentor wasn't all that he thought. He opened his inventory and pulled out one of the spirit crystals he had given her. The small, luminous stone pulsed lightly with energy, its heat spreading across his palm.
---
< **Item: Soul Crystal ** >
** Effect: ** Increases cultivation speed when consumed during meditation.
---
If he wanted to become stronger, he couldn't rely on martial training alone. Culture was the foundation of everything in this world, and his progress up until now had been very slow.
Adam sat cross-legged in the warehouse, placing the Soul Crystal on his lap as he focused on his breathing. The Frenchman The Little Spirit Locket around his neck hummed faintly, sharpening his concentration as he began. to absorb the spiritual energy around him.
---
< ** System Warning: Accelerated cultivation progress. ** >
** Qi Enhancement (First Stage): 18% → 35%. **
---
The energy flowed through him better than before, guided by the cultivation method Lian had given him. It filled his dantian like water pouring into a vessel, steady and relentless.
But as Adam concentrated, he felt something change. The flow of energy became turbulent, almost chaotic, as if his body was struggling to keep up.
< ** System warning: The host's spiritual capacity is nearing its limit. Progress is needed to stabilize the flow of energy. ** >
Adam gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his forehead as he fought to maintain control. His dantian seemed on the verge of overflowing, the raw energy threatening to burst and tear him apart.
"Go," he murmured, his voice tight. "A little more..."
The system rang again, its tone loud.
< **An opportunity for discovery has been discovered. Would you like to try advancing to Qi refinement (second stage)?** >
Adam did not hesitate. "Yes!"
The energy within him surged, condensing rapidly as it pressed against the walls of his dantian. The pressure was immense, a crushing force that made his entire body tremble. his will to the task. The energy spun. faster and faster, until finally, with a strong push, it stabilized.
A wave of heat pierced Adam and he let out a trembling breath as the tension in his body was released.
---
< ** System notification: Progress successful. ** >
** Current cultivation area: Qi Refinement (2nd stage)**
** Raw power:** 8 → 15
** Spiritual power:** 10 → 18
-- -
44 eyes opened, his vision clearer than ever. The warehouse seemed brighter, each time The detail stood out with surprising clarity. He clenched his fists, feeling raw strength coursing through his veins.
"This is what power feels like," he muttered, a smile spreading across his face.
But the system wasn't finished.
< **System Tip: Cultivation breakthroughs attract attention. The host is advised to be careful. ** >
Adam frowned, his excitement fading a little. The warning was clear: he wasn't the only one feeling the boost of energy caused by his discovery.
---
Later that evening, Adam returned to Sparrow's Rest to meet Lian. The inn's common room was bustling, filled with merchants and travelers swapping stories over mugs of ale. But Adam ignored them, heading straight for the dark corner where Lia was waiting.
She looked up as he approached, her passionate eyes scanning him briefly before a slight smile tugged at her lips.
"You've made progress," she said in her neutral tone. "I can feel it."
Adam nodded, sitting down opposite her. "The spirit crystals help.
Lian laughed. "Of course they did." But don't get too comfortable. The higher you climb, the harder it will be to progress. And the more enemies you will attract.
Adam leaned forward, his gaze fixed. "So I'm going to keep climbing." What's next? »
Lian studied him for a moment, as if assessing his resolve. Finally, she he reached into his coat and pulled out a map, placing it on the table.
"This," he said, pointing to a marked spot, "is a hidden training camp outside the city. He belonged to a small sect that disappeared years ago. Most people have forgotten about him, but the techniques they left behind are still there, if you are strong enough to claim them. »
Adem narrowed his eyes. "What kind of techniques?" »
Lian's smile turned unexpected. "From combat techniques. Martial skills that allow you to fight smarter and faster. Your culture is improving, but your technique is still amateurish at best. If you want to survive real battles, you need more than raw power. »
He touched the paper again. "But you won't be the only one here." Others have begun to catch wind of their existence. If you go there, prepare to fight. »
---
< **New Mission: Search for Forgotten Techniques** >
**Difficulty:** Average on High
** Details: ** Explore the abandoned training ground and learn combat skills. Be careful of other researchers.
** Reward: ** Rare combat skills (3 stars or higher).
---
Adam studied the map carefully, committing the location to memory. The training camp wasn't far away - half a day's journey at most - but the promise of conflict loomed over it.
"I'll go," he said loudly.
Lian nodded, turned the card over, and handed it to him. "Good. But remember this: strength is more than just fighting. It's about knowing.