Zhang Wei stood in the cave, staring at the jade slip on the pedestal. The air was cold and thick, like stepping into a tomb. The faint blue glow from the qi barrier behind him flickered, casting shadows that danced along the rune-covered walls. His heart thumped loud in his chest—half from excitement, half from the fear he wouldn't admit. This was it. His first real find in this world.
"Better be worth it," he muttered, rubbing his bruised arm. The trek through the woods had left him sore, and Zhang Huo's "training" still stung in his ribs. But he wasn't turning back now. Not after dodging the old man's staff all morning. Not after sneaking out like a thief.
He stepped closer, boots crunching on loose stones. The jade slip was small, no bigger than his palm, its surface smooth and green, like a polished river rock. Faint lines crisscrossed it—words, maybe, or symbols. He reached out, hesitating as the system chimed in his head.
[Item Detected: Unknown Jade Slip]
[Task Updated: Breach the Barrier]
Progress: Barrier Breached – 100%
Reward Pending: Analyze Item]
"Analyze?" Zhang Wei frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?" He didn't have time to guess. Thunder rumbled outside, closer now, like the sky was growling at him. He grabbed the slip.
A jolt shot up his arm—sharp, warm, alive. He yelped and almost dropped it, but his fingers tightened on instinct. The warmth sank into his skin, then his chest, linking with that ember of qi he'd been nursing all day. His vision blurred, and words flashed across his eyes.
[Analysis Complete: Jade Slip of the Ascendant Breath]
[Reward Unlocked: Technique – Ascendant Breath (Beginner)]
Description: A lost breathing method to refine qi, strengthen the body, and sharpen the mind. First step to ascension.]
Zhang Wei blinked, the glow fading. "A technique?" His voice echoed in the cave. He'd read enough novels to know what that meant—power, real power, not just the trickle he'd scraped together. He grinned, wide and crooked. "Finally, something good."
He sat on the cold floor, clutching the slip. The system pinged again.
[New Task: Master Ascendant Breath (Stage 1)]
Reward: Qi Awakening Boost (+10%)
Failure: Technique Collapse (Qi Damage)
"Another bomb," he muttered. "Great." But this one felt different—less like a threat, more like a dare. He could do this. He had to.
He pressed the jade slip to his forehead, like he'd seen in stories. Nothing happened. "Come on," he growled, tapping it. Still nothing. Then a faint hum started, and warmth spread into his skull. Images flooded his mind—breathing patterns, qi flows, a voice whispering words he couldn't quite catch. It was fast, messy, like cramming for a test in one night.
Zhang Wei pulled the slip away, head spinning. "Okay… breathe. I can do that." He closed his eyes, sitting cross-legged like Zhang Huo taught him. Inhale slow, hold, exhale sharp—over and over, following the rhythm burned into his brain. The ember in his chest flickered, then grew, matching his breaths.
[Ascendant Breath: 5% Mastered]
"Yes!" he hissed, keeping his focus. The qi moved smoother now, stronger, looping through his arms, his legs, his spine. It wasn't much, but it felt… right. Like stretching after a long sleep.
Thunder cracked outside, loud enough to shake the cave. Dust fell from the ceiling, and Zhang Wei's eyes snapped open. "Not now," he grumbled, shoving the jade slip into his tattered robe. He stood, legs wobbly but steadying fast. The technique was working—his body felt lighter, less like a broken toy.
[Strength: 5 | Agility: 7 | Vitality: 7]
He clenched his fists, grinning. "Progress." Small, but real. Enough to keep him going.
The storm hit as he slipped past the barrier. Rain slammed down, soaking him in seconds. Lightning flashed, turning the woods into a maze of shadows. He pulled his hood tighter and ran, boots splashing through mud. The compound wasn't far—he could make it before anyone noticed.
Halfway there, a figure blocked his path. Tall, broad, with a sneer Zhang Wei could spot even in the dark. Scar-cheek—the jerk from the courtyard. Two others flanked him, their robes dripping but their smirks dry.
"Third Young Master," Scar-cheek called, voice mocking. "Out for a stroll? Or running from your shame again?"
Zhang Wei stopped, rain stinging his face. "Get out of my way," he said, low and tired. He didn't have time for this.
Scar-cheek laughed. "Still got that mouth. Let's see if it helps." He lunged, fist aimed at Zhang Wei's chest—fast, too fast for a normal guy.
But Zhang Wei wasn't normal anymore. The Ascendant Breath kicked in, qi sharpening his senses. He sidestepped, mud sucking at his boots, and swung back—a clumsy punch, but it landed. Scar-cheek staggered, surprise flashing in his eyes.
[Temporary Boost: Strength +1]
The other two rushed him. Zhang Wei ducked a kick, grunting as an elbow grazed his shoulder. He fought back, wild and sloppy, but the qi kept him moving. A fist to one's gut, a shove to the other—enough to break free. He bolted, leaving them cursing in the rain.
"Trash!" Scar-cheek yelled. "You're dead next time!"
Zhang Wei didn't stop until he reached the compound, slipping through a side gate. His chest heaved, rain mixing with sweat and a trickle of blood from his lip. He leaned against a wall, catching his breath. " Idiots," he muttered, but a grin crept up. He'd fought. He'd won—sort of.
Back in the hall, he collapsed onto the cot, soaked and battered. The jade slip pressed against his ribs, a quiet promise. He closed his eyes, running the Ascendant Breath again. The qi flowed easier now, washing away some of the ache.
[Ascendant Breath: 10% Mastered]
[Qi Awakening: 20% Complete]
"Getting there," he whispered. His stats ticked up again:
[Strength: 6 | Agility: 8 | Vitality: 7]
He wasn't trash anymore—not completely. But Scar-cheek's words stuck. "Next time." There'd be more fights, more enemies. His father, his brothers, the whole damn clan—they all wanted him gone. And those trials Zhang Huo mentioned? A month away, closing fast.
He sat up, pulling the jade slip out. The storm raged outside, but in here, it was just him and this chance. He pressed it to his forehead again, diving back into the breathing. Inhale, hold, exhale—over and over, until his body hummed with it.
Hours passed. The rain slowed to a drip, and dawn crept through the window. Zhang Wei opened his eyes, exhaustion heavy but qi steady.
[Ascendant Breath: 15% Mastered]
He stood, stretching. His bruises throbbed, but he felt… stronger. Not a cultivator yet—not even close—but not the weakling they thought he was.
A knock rattled the door. Zhang Huo stepped in, eyes sharp. "You're up early. Good. Training starts now."
Zhang Wei nodded, hiding a wince. "Ready."
The old man paused, looking him over. "You're different today. Less like a beaten dog."
"Guess I'm tired of losing," Zhang Wei said, meeting his gaze.
Zhang Huo grunted, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "We'll see. Move."
They headed back to the training ground. Zhang Wei followed, the jade slip tucked safe in his robe. Scar-cheek's threat echoed in his head, but so did the system's hum. He had a technique now—a secret no one else knew. A month to the trials. A month to turn trash into something they'd fear.
Thunder rumbled one last time, faint and far. Zhang Wei smirked. "Keep watching, heavens. I'm just getting started."