I returned to the village under the fading light of the setting sun, my satchel heavy with the Spirit Herbs and the spoils from my battle with the wild boar. My body ached from the fight, but the exhaustion was tempered by the satisfaction of success. As I stepped into my small home, I placed the herbs on the wooden table and collapsed into a chair, letting out a long sigh of relief.
The system's voice resonated in my mind, calm and reassuring.
> [Quest Completed: Strengthen Your Foundation.]
Rewards: Qi Recovery Elixir x3, +20 Sign-In Points.
Three small jade bottles materialized before me, each filled with a shimmering, light-green liquid. The Qi Recovery Elixirs radiated a calming aura, and I could sense the concentrated energy within them, ready to replenish my Qi whenever needed.
> [New Quest Unlocked: Refining the Body.]
Train your body to adapt to Qi flow and improve your physical resilience.
Objective: Complete 1,000 punches and kicks using basic martial techniques.
Reward: Basic Combat Manual, +15 Sign-In Points.
I read the notification carefully, nodding to myself. The system was guiding me, step by step, ensuring my foundation was solid before I moved on to greater challenges.
---
Before diving into the next task, my attention was drawn to the Qi Beast Core I had retrieved from the wild boar. The small orb in my hand pulsed faintly, radiating a subtle but potent energy.
I muttered under my breath, "What should I do with this?"
The system's voice responded promptly.
> [Qi Beast Core: Contains condensed Qi and essence from a Qi-Enhanced Beast. Can be absorbed to slightly enhance your cultivation or used in crafting.]
The idea of absorbing the core to enhance my cultivation was tempting, but I hesitated. The system had warned that my foundation was still unstable after just entering the Qi Condensation Realm. Absorbing the core now could be risky, destabilizing the very foundation I had just solidified.
> [Suggestion: Stabilize your foundation with body refinement before absorbing the Qi Beast Core.]
I nodded in agreement, deciding to save the core for later. It could wait until I was ready. I placed it carefully into a small wooden box and tucked it away, making sure it was safe.
---
The next morning, I stood outside my home, facing the village outskirts. The air was crisp, and the early light of dawn painted the sky with soft hues of orange and pink. It was the perfect time to begin my training.
I assumed a basic fighting stance as outlined by the system's instructions.
"Start with punches," I muttered to myself, steadying my breathing.
My first punch was awkward, lacking both strength and precision. But I didn't let that discourage me. I kept going, focusing on the movement, the flow of energy, and pushing through the discomfort. Sweat began to drip down my forehead after just a hundred punches, and my arms felt heavy and sore.
> [Progress: 100/1,000 punches completed.]
I gritted my teeth and kept going, determined to finish. By the time I reached five hundred punches, my arms were like lead, trembling with fatigue.
"Rest later," I told myself firmly. "I can't stop now."
I moved on to kicks, quickly realizing my legs were just as untrained as my arms. Each kick lacked stability, but I adjusted my stance after every strike, forcing my body to adapt.
> [Progress: 300/1,000 kicks completed.]
The villagers watched me from a distance, their whispers drifting on the wind.
"What's he doing now?"
"Training? He's never done anything like this before."
"Do you think he's trying to become a cultivator?"
I ignored their voices, focusing entirely on my training. Hours passed, and as the sun climbed higher in the sky, my body was on the brink of collapse. Yet, I kept going, driven by a sense of purpose.
> [Quest Progress: 1,000 punches and kicks completed.]
Finally, I collapsed to the ground, my body trembling with exhaustion.
> [Quest Completed: Refining the Body.]
Rewards: Basic Combat Manual, +15 Sign-In Points.
---
Still panting, I sat up, my body sore and worn. A scroll materialized before me, glowing faintly with energy. I reached out and unrolled it, revealing intricate illustrations and detailed instructions for basic combat techniques.
The system spoke once more.
> [Basic Combat Manual: Contains foundational martial techniques for hand-to-hand combat. Mastery of these techniques will significantly improve your combat skills.]
I studied the manual, noting the simplicity of the techniques. They required control over Qi, something I was beginning to understand more with each passing day. The first technique, Iron Fist Strike, was focused on channeling Qi into the fists to enhance the power behind each punch.
Excited to test it, I stood up and assumed the stance described in the manual. I visualized my Qi flowing from my dantian into my fists, just as I had done when battling the wild boar.
I struck forward, and the air around my fist rippled slightly, the force of the blow much greater than before. A grin spread across my face. "This is power."
---
As I continued practicing, a figure approached from the edge of the village. A middle-aged man, dressed in plain but sturdy robes, walked toward me with a commanding presence. There was a faint aura of Qi around him—he was no ordinary villager.
I stopped my training, wiping sweat from my brow, and eyed him cautiously.
"Who are you?" I asked, my tone guarded.
The man smiled, his sharp eyes scanning me as though measuring my strength. "My name is Shen Tao. I'm a wandering cultivator who happened to pass through this village. Imagine my surprise when I sensed one of the most unique Qis I have ever sensed from a young cultivator."
My heart skipped a beat. I was suddenly on high alert.
"I mean you no harm," Shen Tao said, raising a hand to reassure me. "In fact, I might be able to help you. You've just begun your journey, haven't you?"
I nodded slowly, unsure of what to make of him.
"Good," he said. "Then let me give you a piece of advice: the path of cultivation is fraught with danger. If you truly wish to grow stronger, you'll need guidance and allies. Traveling alone will only take you so far."
I stayed silent for a moment, contemplating his words. Finally, I asked, "Why do I need companions?"
Shen Tao turned to leave, his voice carrying over his shoulder. "Think about it. A lone man has limited strength. Cultivators live and grow in groups. If you work alone, you'll be left behind. If you're interested, come find me at the northern hill tomorrow. I can teach you a thing or two."
As he disappeared into the distance, I clenched my fists, thoughts swirling in my mind. The system chimed in once again.
> [New Quest: Meet Shen Tao at the northern hill.]
Objective: Learn from Shen Tao.
Reward: Unknown.
I looked toward the horizon, sighing deeply.