Under the willow tree, the soft rustling of its branches filled the air, blending with the gentle sounds of nature. Alex sat cross-legged, the book resting lightly on his lap, its pages fluttering in the breeze. His breathing was steady, slow, but there was an underlying frustration gnawing at him. He could feel the inefficiency of his qi flow, like water leaking from a cracked vessel. Much of the energy he drew in dissipated before it could reach his dantian.

“This won’t do,” Alex muttered, his fingers tracing absent patterns on the book’s worn cover. The slight crease in his brow deepened as he considered the situation. “If qi behaves like energy, then efficiency should apply. I need to optimize this.”

He closed his eyes and activated Quantum Insight. The golden cube’s pulse echoed in his mind, a faint whisper urging him to go further. Suddenly, the world around him seemed to shift. He could see the qi flow, a shimmering network of translucent lines weaving through his body. His meridians glowed like thin channels of light, and tiny eddies of resistance formed where the flow slowed down.

Alex focused inward, mapping the energy pathways with the precision of a scientist studying a circuit. He mentally labeled the bottlenecks in his system—places where the qi stalled or twisted awkwardly. The sensation was akin to kinks in a hose, blocking the smooth flow of water.

“Posture first,” Alex said to himself, adjusting his sitting position. He straightened his back and relaxed his shoulders, aligning his limbs symmetrically. The change was immediate. The blockages near his shoulders loosened, and the qi began moving more fluidly, as if the channels had opened slightly. But even then, he felt there was more to be done.

Next, he focused on his breathing. His inhales had been too deep and uneven, disrupting the flow of energy. Slowly, Alex adjusted his rhythm, experimenting with shallower, more controlled breaths. He exhaled softly, feeling the qi respond to his refined method. The energy seemed to flow with more ease, but it still wasn’t enough. The efficiency remained lacking, like a flickering light bulb struggling to shine at full brightness.

“Rerouting…” Alex murmured to himself, recalling his understanding of fluid dynamics from his past life. If a pathway was blocked, the flow could be redirected to clearer channels. In his mind, he visualized his meridians as interconnected rivers, their tributaries feeding into the main stream. With each careful mental nudge, he began guiding the qi away from congested areas, redirecting it into open, unobstructed paths.

The results were immediate. Qi surged into his dantian like a flood breaking through a dam. His body tingled with the sudden influx of energy, warmth spreading from his core outward. The density of the qi increased, and the flow stabilized, becoming more controlled and efficient. Alex’s pulse quickened with excitement. This was it—he was on the verge of mastering the flow.

“Better,” he whispered, a faint smile tugging at his lips, but he knew he wasn’t finished. There was more to uncover, more to refine. This was just the beginning.

Opening his eyes, Alex stood and moved into a series of dynamic stretches, each motion deliberate. He wasn’t just stretching his muscles; he was aligning his body for optimal qi flow. Each movement was calculated, targeting areas where energy had previously been sluggish. His limbs stretched and contracted with fluidity, the qi in his body responding like an obedient servant. As he sank into a low stance, he felt the qi pulse with even greater intensity, the energy responding to his every shift.

An idea struck him like a sudden lightning bolt.

“What if I synchronize movement with absorption?” Alex wondered aloud.

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Stepping into the open courtyard, he began a slow, deliberate series of punches. His arms arced through the air, each motion controlled and smooth. He adjusted his breathing as he moved, inhaling deeply at the peak of each movement, then exhaling to release any impurities. The rhythm of his actions merged with the flow of qi, amplifying the energy he drew in.

As Alex continued the series, he added fluid kicks, the power in his legs adding to the surge of energy. His body had become a vessel, a conduit for the qi that poured into him with increasing volume. The bottlenecks that had once resisted the flow were now barely noticeable, and the energy moved through him effortlessly.

Each movement, each stretch, felt like an extension of his spirit—a perfect harmony between mind and body. His meridians were no longer sluggish; they hummed with life, as if they too were awakening to the new possibilities. The more he moved, the more his body seemed to absorb, as though the very act of motion made him a better conductor of energy.

Alex paused, standing still to assess the results. His dantian felt full, the qi within it swirling like a contained storm. It was warm and vibrant, a steady pulse that throbbed with life. The golden cube pulsed faintly in his mind, a subtle affirmation of his progress. He knew he had crossed a threshold. This was a significant step forward, and he could feel the potential within him growing.

“This is just the beginning,” he whispered to himself, his voice filled with quiet determination.

The golden cube pulsed again, its energy mingling with his own. His thoughts turned to the upcoming challenges, the trials he would face as a cultivator. The road ahead would not be easy, but with his unique approach, he felt confident in his ability to carve a path of his own.

As Alex shifted into another stretch, his arms forming a peculiar arc, the energy in his dantian surged once more. It felt dense and solid, like a well-honed blade ready to cut through anything in its path. The golden cube’s whispers grew fainter, almost as though it were watching him from afar, pleased with his progress. But Alex knew that the true test had only just begun.

He moved through several more repetitions, each one more fluid than the last. His movements had become second nature, guided by instinct and the understanding he had gained from his unique perspective. The traditional methods were valuable, but they were just a starting point—Alex knew he could push beyond them.

Finally, after several more repetitions, Alex stood tall and took a deep breath, his body feeling light and strong. The sweat on his brow felt like a badge of honor, evidence of his hard work. As he opened his eyes, he froze.

Standing at the edge of the courtyard, his father and younger sister were watching him. Elsa’s eyes were wide with curiosity, while their father’s expression was a mixture of pride and restrained concern.

“Father. Elsa,” Alex said, his voice calm but measured as he wiped the sweat from his brow. “How long have you been standing there?”

Elsa tilted her head, her expression puzzled. “Big brother, what were you doing? You looked like a… like a dancing crane with a broken wing!”

Alex chuckled, though he couldn’t fully disagree with her observation. To an outsider, his movements likely appeared erratic—almost comical. But to him, each motion was a calculated experiment, a step toward mastery.

Their father, however, wore a different expression—a quiet pride tempered by caution. He was a man of few words, but his gaze spoke volumes. Despite his son’s unconventional approach, the elder man could sense the change in Alex. His cultivation had reached the first stage of Qi Refinement.

“Alex,” their father began, his voice steady, though there was a slight edge of excitement in it, “you’ve reached the first stage. I can sense it.”

Alex nodded, his heart swelling with a mix of pride and relief. “Yes, Father. I’ve been experimenting with a new method—one that suits me.”

His father raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but still skeptical. “New method?”

Alex hesitated, unsure of how to explain his approach. The golden cube, the scientific principles—it was all too complicated to fully describe. So, he simplified his answer. “I’ve been observing the flow of qi in my body and adjusting my posture and breathing to improve its efficiency.”

The elder man frowned slightly, glancing at the faint scuffs on the ground where Alex had been practicing. “Your movements were… unorthodox. Most techniques rely on established forms. This… improvisation of yours—it seems reckless.”

“It might seem that way,” Alex admitted, “but I’ve seen results. I believe every cultivator’s body is unique. By understanding mine, I’ve found a way to guide qi more effectively.”

A silence settled between them, thick with contemplation. Elsa, still too young to fully understand the intricacies of cultivation, looked back and forth between them, her face filled with awe.

Finally, their father exhaled a deep breath, tension leaving his shoulders. “Results don’t lie. You’ve broken through. That’s what matters. But remember—creativity can lead to breakthroughs, but carelessness leads to ruin. Push too far, too fast, and you could harm yourself.”

“Yes, Father,” Alex said earnestly, the weight of his words sinking in.

His father’s stern expression softened slightly. “The Lidra Sect’s recruitment trials are in three months. To even be considered, a candidate one must reach the first stage of Qi Refinement. With your progress, you’ve cleared the first hurdle. If you can reach the second stage before the trials, you’ll stand a good chance of being accepted.”

Alex’s determination flared at the mention of the trials. He nodded,