Chapter 6: The First Step into True Cultivation
Li Wei sat in stunned silence, staring at his trembling hands. His entire body buzzed with a faint, unfamiliar warmth—a lingering remnant of the **Ethereal Vein's** activation.
He clenched his fist. There was **strength** there. Strength that had never existed before.
He slowly stood up.
No dizziness. No weakness.
For as long as he could remember, his body had been fragile. Every movement had felt like a burden. But now? Now, he felt… **light.**
His breath came evenly, his heartbeat steady. Was this the effect of **Ethereal Synchronization?**
There was only one way to confirm it.
He dropped into a simple **horse stance**, a basic foundational posture in martial arts. His legs bent, his body lowered, his weight evenly distributed. Normally, even holding this stance for a few seconds would send his muscles screaming in protest.
But now?
He held it. **Easily.**
A slow grin formed on his lips.
It was real.
His cultivation in *Celestial Ascension Online* had affected his real body. His frail form was no longer a prison. **This was his chance to change everything.**
But… this was just the beginning.
---
### **A New Path Unfolds**
After calming his excitement, Li Wei sat cross-legged on his bed and focused his mind.
**If his in-game cultivation affected his real body, then how far could he take this?**
Would he be able to increase his Qi reserves? Strengthen his physique? Would he eventually reach a point where he could use actual cultivation techniques outside of the game?
He had no answers.
But he was going to **find out.**
His gaze fell upon the VR headset beside him. There was no hesitation. He picked it up, placed it on his head, and re-entered *Celestial Ascension Online*.
---
### **The Legacy of the Ethereal Vein**
As soon as Li Wei's consciousness reconnected to the game, he found himself standing in the same celestial void where Shen Wujian had last spoken to him.
The old man was still there, his gaze sharp yet filled with something close to approval.
"You did not hesitate to return," Shen Wujian observed. "Good. That means you understand the significance of what has been given to you."
Li Wei nodded. "Tell me more about the **Ethereal Vein.** What exactly is it? And why do I have it?"
Shen Wujian remained silent for a moment before he spoke, his voice laced with ancient wisdom.
"The Ethereal Vein is a rarity beyond comprehension. It is not something that can be **obtained**—it can only be **born** within a select few individuals. Even across the vast heavens, only a handful have ever possessed it."
Li Wei's breath caught.
A talent so rare that even among countless cultivators, only a few had ever awakened it?
Shen Wujian continued.
"The Ethereal Vein is the bridge between **the real and the unreal.** It allows the body and soul to synchronize across different realms, making cultivation in one world affect the other."
Li Wei's thoughts raced.
"So you're saying… if I grow stronger here, I'll grow stronger in reality?"
Shen Wujian nodded. "Yes. But it is a double-edged sword."
Li Wei's excitement dimmed slightly. "What do you mean?"
"The more you cultivate in this world, the **more your real body will change.** Your physical limitations will begin to vanish. But in exchange, your soul will gradually become **anchored to the laws of cultivation.**"
Li Wei frowned. "Anchored?"
Shen Wujian's gaze darkened.
"There may come a time when your **real body** will no longer be able to exist outside the flow of Qi. If you push too far, your physical self may **cease to be human.**"
Li Wei's heart pounded.
This wasn't just a power-up. This was a **fundamental transformation** of his existence.
If he continued down this path, his life in the real world might never be the same.
Was he willing to take that risk?
He closed his eyes, thinking of his past—of all the times he had been weak, helpless, unable to change his own fate.
Then he thought of now. Of this chance.
He opened his eyes.
**"I accept it."**
Shen Wujian nodded, his expression unreadable. "Then your path is set."
A glowing rune appeared in the air between them.
**[New Quest: Ethereal Awakening]**
- Objective: **Refine your Qi and stabilize the Ethereal Vein.**
- Reward: **Unlock the First Layer of Ethereal Synchronization.**
- Warning: **Failure to refine the Ethereal Vein may result in instability of your real body.**
Li Wei's brows furrowed.
The first layer? That meant there were **more.**
And the warning… if he failed, there could be **consequences.**
No turning back now.
---
### **The First Cultivation Session**
Shen Wujian motioned for Li Wei to sit. "Your first task is to refine the Qi already flowing through your Ethereal Vein. Close your eyes and focus on your dantian."
Li Wei obeyed, sinking into meditation.
He had never done **real** cultivation before. His past attempts had been purely within the confines of the game's mechanics. But now…
Now he could **feel** it.
A warm current flowed through his body, circulating like a gentle river. This was **his Qi.**
His real Qi.
Following Shen Wujian's instructions, he slowly guided the energy through his meridians. The moment it passed through the **Ethereal Vein,** a strange sensation swept over him—
For a brief second, his consciousness flickered.
He felt **two versions** of himself—one inside the game, and one in the real world. And for that single moment, both were **perfectly in sync.**
Then, as quickly as it came, the sensation faded.
Li Wei opened his eyes, his breathing uneven.
Shen Wujian studied him carefully. "You felt it, didn't you?"
Li Wei nodded, his heart pounding. "I was… I was connected to both worlds."
Shen Wujian's gaze sharpened. "Then you are truly ready."
A golden glow surrounded Li Wei as his system interface flickered with a notification.
**[Ethereal Synchronization: First Layer Unlocked.]**
**[Your real body will now gradually absorb Qi.]**
Li Wei's breath caught.
His body… was **actually cultivating.**
Not just in the game. **In reality.**
For the first time since discovering *Celestial Ascension Online*, he felt something deeper than excitement.
He felt **destiny.**
This was no longer just a path to strength.
This was the beginning of something far greater.
---
### **End of Chapter 6**
Li Wei has taken his first true step into **real cultivation.** With the **First Layer of Ethereal Synchronization unlocked**, his real body has begun to absorb Qi. But as his two existences intertwine, what hidden dangers lie ahead?
The veil between reality and illusion is thinning… and Li Wei is at the center of it all.