Victor sat cross-legged in the small cave as the faint glow of his cultivation interface illuminated his face.
His qi reserves had grown noticeably stronger since his first breakthrough, and with the addition of the Shifting Winds Art, he felt a newfound sense of capability.
The system had been meticulous in guiding him, providing detailed instructions for mastering the technique. He reviewed the steps again, muttering aloud to himself.
"Step one: feel the qi flow around you. Step two: connect with the qi and guide it into your body. Step three: imagine it as wind moving through your veins. Easy enough." He paused while cracking a grin. "I mean, for a genius like me, anyway."
He closed his eyes and focused. The cave's faint echoes seemed to fade as he tuned into the world around him. He could feel the air, the faint whisper of movement in the qi. He visualized threads of invisible wind swirling into his core.
The system chimed softly:
---
Shifting Winds Art Proficiency: 10%
---
Victor smirked. "See? Piece of cake."
He stood, ready to test what he had learned so far. The art wasn't just about absorbing qi but using it to enhance speed and agility.
Following the system's instructions, he channeled qi into his legs, imagining it as gusts of wind propelling him forward.
"Alright, here goes nothing."
He took off, dashing across the cave floor. To his amazement, his movements felt light and effortless, almost like he was gliding.
"Whoa!" he exclaimed while stumbling slightly as he came to a stop. "I'm fast. Like, really fast!"
The system chimed again:
---
Shifting Winds Art Proficiency: 20%
---
Encouraged, Victor repeated the exercise, refining his control with each attempt. The more he practised, the more natural it felt. Soon, he wasn't just running; he was leaping, darting, and spinning in mid-air with the faint trace of wind following his every movement.
---
Days turned into nights as Victor balanced his training. He alternated between cultivating to increase his qi reserves and practising the Shifting Winds Art. The system guided him meticulously, providing constant feedback on his progress.
By the time he reached Qi Gathering Stage 2, he had already mastered a basic ability from the technique: Wind Dash, which allowed him to move at incredible speeds for short bursts.
At Qi Gathering Stage 3, another ability unlocked: Gale Strike. By concentrating wind qi into his palm, Victor could unleash a powerful gust that destabilized anything in its path. He tested it on a nearby pile of rocks and grinned as they scattered with a resounding crash.
"Not bad," he muttered. "Now I can fight back. Kind of."
---
Victor's progress astonished even himself. In what felt like no time at all, he reached Qi Gathering Stage 4. His qi reserves surged, and the system chimed with a celebratory tone as a new notification appeared.
---
<[ Congratulations! You have Surpassed Qi Gathering Stage 4 ]>
<[ Realm Ascension Unlocked: Qi Refining Realm ]>
Rewards:
Attribute Points: +5
New Ability: [Wind Barrier]
New Objective: Explore the Hidden Valley.
---
Victor stared at the interface. "Wait, I ascended to the next cultivation realm already?!"
He brought up his updated status panel, eager to see the changes.
---
<[ Fang Chen's Cultivation System ]>
Name: Fang Chen
Constitution: Primordial Chaos
Bloodline: Void Emperor
Current Cultivation Realm: Qi Refining Realm
Current Cultivation Level: Stage 1 (0%)
Qi Reserves: Moderate
Cultivation Technique: Shifting Winds Art (Intermediate Proficiency)
Abilities Unlocked:
- Wind Dash
- Gale Strike
- Wind Barrier
Status: Promising
Physique Grade: Lower Bronze
Potential: B-Rank
Luck: Below Average
Attribute Points: +5 (Unassigned)
---
Victor couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, 'promising' is a hell of a lot better than 'mediocre.' I'll take it!"
He tapped on the description for Wind Barrier, the newly unlocked ability:
---
<[ Wind Barrier ]>
<[ Type: Defensive Technique ]>
<[ Description: Condense wind qi into a protective barrier that reduces damage from physical and qi-based attacks. Strength increases with cultivation level ]>
---
Victor clenched his fists in excitement. "Finally, some defence! Now I won't have to die every five minutes."
His attention shifted to the new objective: Explore the Hidden Valley.
"Hidden Valley, huh?" Victor mused, glancing toward the cave entrance. "Guess I've been cooped up long enough. Time to stretch my legs."
---
The valley seemed almost unrecognizable as Victor stepped out of the cave. His heightened qi awareness allowed him to sense the flow of energy around him, and the world felt more alive than ever.
The system map provided vague directions toward the Hidden Valley, a place said to hold rare treasures and opportunities for cultivation. However, the journey was said to be dangerous.
"Of course it's dangerous," Victor muttered while jogging down a narrow path. "What kind of cultivation story would this be if it wasn't?"
He activated Wind Dash to cover the ground quickly, causing the world around him to blur as he sped forward. Every step felt exhilarating as the wind qi propelled him effortlessly.
The path soon opened into a dense forest, the air thick with spiritual energy. Victor slowed his pace and put his senses on high alert. He could feel the presence of beasts lurking nearby. Their qi signatures were faint but unmistakable.
"Alright," he voiced while clenching his fists. "Bring it on. I'm not the same noob you killed a dozen times."
The Hidden Valley was a narrow opening between two massive rock formations. Mist rolled lazily across the ground, and the air was thick with spiritual energy.
The valley ahead seemed untouched by time. It was a paradise of beautiful greenery and crystalline formations.
The scenery was breathtaking. Ancient trees with roots as thick as his torso towered above him.
Patches of vibrant herbs and flowers sprouted across the valley floor, exuding sweet aromas from their petals. Pools of clear water dotted the landscape while some glowed with dazzling light.
Victor's system interface chimed, prompting him to check the description of some nearby items.
---
<[ Golden Vein Grass: A rare herb that enhances qi flow when consumed or used in concoctions ]>
<[ Crystal Spirit Shard: A condensed fragment of qi, useful for cultivation or enhancing artifacts ]>
---
Victor grinned while crouching to pick up a few of the glowing shards scattered around. "Looks like I hit the jackpot. Maybe this place isn't as dangerous as I thought."
But his optimism was short-lived. A low growl echoed through the valley, sending a chill down his spine.
Victor turned immediately, locking eyes with a familiar figure.
Emerging from the underbrush was a spiritual beast—a wolf-like creature with crystalline fur and glowing red eyes, much like the one that had terrorized him earlier.
Victor's heart raced, but this time, he didn't feel the overwhelming panic he had before. He clenched his fists as a confident grin spread across his face.
"Alright, buddy," he voiced while stepping forward. "Round two. Let's see how you like me now."