The golden rays of dawn spilled across the valley as I rose from my makeshift bed in the small hut I now called home. The events of the previous day lingered in my mind—Shen Tao's teachings, the system's guidance, and the weight of the path I had chosen.
> [Quest Reminder: Strengthen Your Core – Successfully perform 100 enhanced strikes.]
I exhaled sharply, adjusting my posture. "One step at a time," I murmured to myself, stepping outside into the crisp morning air.
---
The training grounds Shen Tao had mentioned were a short walk from the hut, a quiet clearing surrounded by towering trees. At the center of it all stood a large boulder, its surface smooth and worn by years of weathering.
I set my satchel aside and rolled up my sleeves, preparing myself for the task ahead. Clenching my fists, I channeled Qi into my arms, ready to begin my practice of the Iron Fist Strike.
The first strike landed with a dull thud against the boulder.
> [Strike Registered: 1/100.]
A faint smile tugged at my lips as the feedback from the system buzzed in my mind. "Only ninety-nine more to go," I muttered, steadying my stance.
---
By the time I reached my fiftieth strike, sweat drenched my body, and my arms felt like lead. My Qi reserves were depleting rapidly, and the strain of maintaining the enhanced strikes began to take its toll.
I collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily.
> [Warning: Qi reserves critically low. Rest recommended.]
"Not yet," I gritted out, pushing myself to my feet. I reached for the Qi Resonance Pendant hanging from my neck, focusing on its calming warmth. Slowly, the flow of Qi within my body stabilized, though it was far from replenished.
Shen Tao's words echoed in my mind: "Cultivation isn't just about brute force. It's about endurance, strategy, and knowing your limits."
With a deep breath, I decided to take a brief pause. I closed my eyes, entering a meditative state to recover what little Qi I could.
---
The Intruder
As I meditated, a faint sound of footsteps disrupted my focus. My eyes snapped open, and I turned toward the source of the noise.
A figure emerged from the shadows of the trees—a young man clad in dark robes, his expression one of disdain.
"Well, what do we have here?" he sneered. "A fledgling cultivator playing at training?"
I rose to my feet, my body tensing. "Who are you, and what do you want?"
The man smirked. "Name's Zhao Chen. I've been watching you, and I couldn't help but notice that pendant around your neck. Looks valuable."
My hand instinctively went to the pendant. "It's mine. Leave now, and there won't be any trouble."
Zhao Chen laughed, drawing a short blade from his belt. "Trouble? You think someone like you can stop me?"
---
Zhao Chen lunged, the blade glinting in the sunlight. I barely managed to dodge, the weapon slicing through the air mere inches from my face.
"System, help me out here!" I shouted internally.
> [Emergency Quest Activated: Defend the Qi Resonance Pendant.]
Defeat Rogue Cultivator Zhao Chen and protect your pendant.
Reward: +20 Sign-In Points, +1 Beginner Technique Scroll.
I gritted my teeth, my resolve hardening. I couldn't afford to lose. Channeling what little Qi I had left, I launched into the Iron Fist Strike, aiming for Zhao Chen's midsection.
The punch connected, sending him stumbling back, but it wasn't enough to stop him.
"You've got spirit," Zhao Chen growled, wiping blood from his lip. "But spirit won't save you."
The next exchange was brutal. I was faster, but Zhao Chen's weapon gave him the upper hand. Shallow cuts began to mar my arms as I struggled to evade the blade.
Just as I felt my strength waning, the system's voice rang out:
> [Bonus Activated: Qi Resonance Pendant's hidden effect triggered. Temporary Qi regeneration increased by 50%.]
A surge of energy coursed through me. My senses sharpened, and my movements became faster and more fluid.
When Zhao Chen lunged again, I sidestepped smoothly, landing a powerful punch to his wrist. The blade flew from his hand, clattering to the ground.
Before he could react, I followed up with a swift kick to his chest, sending him sprawling to the ground in pain, unable to move.
Zhao Chen coughed violently, glaring up at me. "You… You'll regret this."
I grabbed the blade from the ground and slashed it at Zhao Chen's arms, cutting him and crippling him before he could make any further move. His battered body tried to dodge, but I was too swift.
I didn't stop there and beat him up brutaly. Than...I forced a Blood Coagulation Pill into his mouth to halt the bleeding, watching as the healing effect took hold.
"I advise you to not do that again if you don't wish to die." I said coldly. "Now eat it to stop the bleeding and scram to wherever you came from."
'Is it fine to let him go now?...but..I..don't want to kill so easily...I don't want to let Dad's efforts to raise me go to waste by doing the same thing I suffered because of...'
Zhao Chen was furious, heartbroken, and in despair, but he could only grit his teeth and stumble away, running for his life.
> [Quest Completed: Defend the Qi Resonance Pendant.]
Rewards: +20 Sign-In Points, +1 Beginner Technique Scroll.
---
As the forest grew quiet once more, I sank to my knees, exhaustion washing over me. The weight of the fight had drained me, but I was alive, and I had protected what was mine.
The system's voice chimed in again
> [Additional Quest Progress: Strengthen Your Core – 75/100 enhanced strikes completed.]