Chapter 5: The Awakening of the Hidden Meridian
As Li Wei stepped into the swirling portal, his vision blurred. The sensation was unlike anything he had experienced before—neither falling nor floating, but as if his very essence was being pulled into something… deeper.
When the dizziness subsided, he found himself standing in a vast expanse of darkness. A single lotus platform hovered beneath his feet, surrounded by an endless void. In the distance, countless constellations shimmered, forming ancient runes that pulsed with celestial energy.
A voice echoed through the abyss, ethereal and powerful.
**"The first threshold has been crossed. Now, witness the truth of your existence."**
Before Li Wei could react, his body trembled. An indescribable force surged within him, running through his veins like a storm of pure energy. His **Qi**—it was reacting! But this wasn't just an in-game effect.
No—this **felt real.**
His breath quickened. His real-world body, which had always been frail and sickly, had never experienced such a profound sensation before. It was as if something locked deep within him was being unraveled.
Then, suddenly—
**Boom!**
A golden light erupted from within his chest, forming a radiant sigil in the air before him. It was a mark unlike any other, ancient yet familiar. His system interface flickered erratically, as if struggling to process the phenomenon.
**[WARNING! UNKNOWN ENERGY DETECTED.]**
**[SYSTEM ERROR… ERROR… ERROR…]**
The notification faded, replaced by a new message:
**[Congratulations! You have unlocked a Hidden Meridian: The Ethereal Vein!]**
Li Wei's eyes widened. A Hidden Meridian? Such a thing shouldn't exist in a virtual game. In traditional cultivation, meridians were pathways through which Qi flowed in the body. But a **Hidden Meridian**? Even top players in *Celestial Ascension Online* had never heard of such a thing.
Shen Wujian's voice returned, steady and knowing.
**"The Ethereal Vein is the bridge between worlds—the path that connects the virtual and the real. You were chosen, Li Wei, because your soul resonates with both."**
Li Wei's thoughts swirled. The implications were staggering. Did this mean that his progress in *Celestial Ascension Online* could directly affect his real body? Could he… actually **cultivate** beyond the game's mechanics?
His pulse quickened. This changed **everything.**
---
### **The Manifestation of Power**
The energy within him intensified. It wasn't just a system notification—it was **real Qi**, coursing through his body like a river unblocked for the first time.
Then, he saw it.
A transparent projection of his body appeared before him, revealing luminous pathways glowing along his arms, legs, and chest. They were his **meridians**, the core of cultivation. But among them, one stood out—a single **golden** vein running from his dantian to his heart.
The **Ethereal Vein.**
Shen Wujian's voice carried a solemn weight.
**"The Ethereal Vein grants you an ability no other cultivator possesses: the power to break the boundary between game and reality. However, such a gift comes with great risks. The more you cultivate within the virtual realm, the more your real body will change."**
Li Wei clenched his fists. This wasn't just about playing a game anymore. If this was real, if his cultivation **truly** affected his physical form—then he had a chance. A chance to **heal**, to **grow stronger**, to become more than the frail, bed-ridden person he had always been in the real world.
Shen Wujian's expression softened. "You have already made your choice, haven't you?"
Li Wei met his gaze. **"Yes."**
The moment he uttered that word, the golden light surged through his body. His system interface flickered once more, displaying new information.
**[New Ability Unlocked: Ethereal Synchronization]**
- **Effect:** Your cultivation in *Celestial Ascension Online* directly influences your real body's strength and vitality.
- **Warning:** Excessive synchronization may lead to unknown consequences.
A slow breath escaped Li Wei's lips. His mind raced with questions, but deep down, he knew one thing—
This was no longer just a game.
---
### **The Return to Reality**
The void around him trembled, and the celestial symbols faded into a golden mist. A powerful force pulled him backward, and before he knew it—
**Li Wei opened his eyes.**
He was no longer in the game.
He was back in his dimly lit apartment, lying on his bed. His VR headset rested beside him, its interface flickering slightly. His heart pounded in his chest. The memory of the Ethereal Vein still burned in his mind, but more than that—
He **felt different.**
His breathing was stronger. The usual weakness in his limbs was… gone. He sat up, expecting the usual dizziness that accompanied any physical exertion. But instead, he felt a strange **lightness**, as if his body had shed its previous limitations.
Li Wei looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers. Was this real? Could it be that his cultivation inside *Celestial Ascension Online* had **truly** affected his real-world body?
He clenched his fists, recalling the surge of energy from the Ethereal Vein.
If this power was real, then…
A slow smile formed on his lips.
**Then he would use it.**
For the first time in years, a fire ignited in his heart. He had been given an opportunity—an impossible, miraculous chance to reshape his destiny. No longer bojund by his weak body, no longer shackled by the limits of reality.
This was his path now.
And he would walk it to the very end.
---
has only just begun.
Li Wei has unlocked the Ethereal Vein, bridging the gap between the virtual and the real. With his newfound ability, Ethereal Synchronization, his cultivation progress in Celestial Ascension Online will directly affect his physical body. But what consequences await him as he delves deeper into this mysterious power?
The journey has only just begun.