Chapter 18

In the dimly lit confines of his abode within courtyard 11, 621 sat in solitude, the weight of the black box resting in his hands. The flickering candlelight danced across the surface of the box, casting eerie shadows in the corners of the room.

His gaze was fixed upon the box, his expression inscrutable as he deliberated his next move. Within lay the key to his advancement, a pill that would propel him from the pinnacle of the Mortal transformation realm to the daunting gates of the Qi condensation realm.

His fingers traced the intricate patterns etched upon the surface of the box, each line and curve a silent testament to the power contained within. Yet, despite the allure of ascension, a gnawing doubt lingered in the recesses of his mind.

Was he truly ready for this momentous step?

The journey ahead was fraught with peril and uncertainty, a path paved with challenges and trials that would continue to test his resolve to its very core.

And though he had trained relentlessly, honing his skills and strengthening his spirit, the prospect of venturing into the unknown without a plan filled him with a sense of trepidation.

But amidst the doubts, a flicker of determination burned bright within his heart. He had come too far to falter now, too many sacrifices made in pursuit of this singular desire for strength.

Memories of his recent struggles reinforced his conviction to take a step forwards and with a resolute nod, he made his decision.

Taking a steadying breath, 621 reached for the box, his fingers closing around its smooth surface with a firm resolve. It was time to embrace his destiny, to seize the opportunity that lay before him and ascend to new heights of power and mastery.

With unwavering resolve, he opened the box, revealing the pill nestled within.

Without hesitation, he raised it to his lips and swallowed it down in a single, decisive motion. As the pill dissolved on his tongue, a surge of energy coursed through his veins, suffusing every fiber of his being with relentless tenacity; ready to counteract what’s to come.

In this moment, 621 knew that there was no turning back, the die had been cast.

As 621 sat down, the atmosphere around him seemed to shift and tremble, as if responding to some unseen force. The Qi, normally invisible to the naked eye, began to coalesce around him in a swirling vortex of dark energy. It danced and twirled with an ominous aura, pulsating with an otherworldly power.

He stared at the darkening whirlpool of energy above him with wide eyes, before he had only felt this type of energy, used a fraction of its true will. He stared into the abyss with a resolute gaze, challenging it to try and consume him.

With gritted teeth and a steely resolve, 621 opened his arms wide, inviting the surrounding Qi to enter his body.

“Come!”

As he did so, he felt an immediate surge of power unlike anything he had ever experienced before. It was as if he were being consumed by a raging inferno, his very essence enveloped by the raw, unbridled force of the Qi.

The free Qi, like a relentless force of nature, surged through his veins with a brutal ferocity, tearing at the delicate tissues and widening their structure with an almost savage intensity.

The veins bulged and throbbed beneath his skin, their epithelial layers straining against the relentless onslaught of energy. It was as if they were being torn apart from the inside, each fiber screaming out in agony as it fought to resist the overwhelming force of the Qi.

But amidst the chaos and destruction, there was a glimmer of order. The energy from the pill he had ingested acted as a guiding force, coaxing the free Qi to resonate with its own energy in a harmonious dance of power. This symbiotic relationship between the pill and the surrounding Qi helped to channel the transformation in a more controlled and orderly manner, reducing the risks of failure and catastrophe.

Despite the brutality of the process, 621 could feel a sense of awe and wonder wash over him as he witnessed the profound changes taking place within his veins. It was a testament to the potency of the pill, its quality far surpassing his initial expectations.

But even when the transformation continued, 621 knew that the journey was far from over.

As the free Qi continued to surge through his veins, it embarked on a new relentless journey, seeking out the deep intricate network of meridians hidden within his body. Each pathway it encountered was like a twisted maze, tributaries fraught with obstacles and several blockages that threatened to impede its progress.

With each pulse of energy, 621 felt a searing pain rip through him, as if his very essence was being torn apart from within. The Qi, like a thunderous entity, zapped through his veins, leaving trails of agony in its wake. Every fiber of his being screamed out in protest, begging for respite from the torment that wracked within his body.

But there was no escape from the harrowing ordeal. The Qi pressed on relentlessly, driving deeper into the pathways of his meridians with each passing moment. The blockages and obstructions it had encountered along the way were mere remnants of past injuries and strains that had disrupted the natural flow of energy within him.

It was as if his meridians had become overgrown with thorns, their once-clear channels choked with debris and detritus.

It wasn’t long before the Qi that rampaged across his battered core began to work its magic by breaking down the barriers that stood in its way. With each surge of energy, 621 felt the blockages within him begin to dissolve and wash away by the unyielding force of the Qi. It was a brutal process, a trial by fire that pushed him to the very limits of his endurance.

For 621, the transformation was deadly, a test of his endurance and resilience. With each passing moment, he felt as though he was teetering on the brink of oblivion, his very existence hanging by a thread.

The pain was overwhelming, consuming him from within as he struggled to maintain his grip on consciousness. But he relented for he instinctually knew that falling into the embrace of the abyss was akin to a death sentence.

And yet, amidst the chaos and turmoil, there was a glimmer of hope. The remnants of energy from the pill he had ingested still acted as a beacon, guiding the Qi along a path of least resistance. It forced the free Qi to become slightly tame, mitigating some of the brutality of the transformation.

However, even with the aid of the pill, success was far from guaranteed. The advancement to the Qi condensation realm was fraught with peril, with a low success rate that belied the inherent dangers of the process. Only those with the greatest talent and resilience stood a chance of surviving the crucible of transformation.

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Soon, new pathways began to emerge, forged by the relentless force of the Qi. These pathways, though still rough and unrefined, promised a future of limitless potential, channels through which 621 could channel the power of the Qi with newfound efficiency.

The true measure of his potential lay not only in the pathways themselves, but in the talent that drove their creation.

Each individual possessed a unique talent, a gift that set them apart from the rest. For those blessed with the greatest talent, their meridians were a sight to behold, various pathways of unparalleled beauty and complexity that seemed to shimmer with a radiant light.

In these individuals, the flow of Qi was not merely a force to be harnessed, but a symphony of energy that danced and swirled through their meridians with effortless grace. Every movement was a masterpiece, every pulse of energy a testament to the boundless potential that lay within them.

In the world of cultivation, the number of meridians one possessed was often seen as a measure of one's talent and potential. Those who possessed the standard twelve meridians were considered average, while those who surpassed this number were viewed with awe and admiration.

As the hours stretched into eternity, 621 battled against the relentless tide of pain and suffering, his willpower the only thing keeping him tethered to reality. And then, in a moment of sheer agony and despair, he felt a profound shift within himself.

With a final surge of energy, 621 emerged from the crucible of transformation, reborn and revitalized.

"Finally....all cleared", he gasped. "Qi Condensation....Ha!" 621 laughed aloud.

In the aftermath of his arduous transformation, 621 felt that he now stood at the threshold of a new existence, his senses heightened and attuned to the subtle energies that now coursed through his veins.

With each breath he took, he could feel the Qi pulsating within him, its presence a tangible force that seemed to resonate with the very essence of his being.

As he focused his awareness inwards, 621 could sense the intricate patterns of his meridians, their pathways glowing with a faint, ethereal light. With a newfound clarity of mind, he began to explore the depths of his own internal landscape, navigating the twists and turns of the meridians with a sense of wonder and awe.

With each passing moment, 621's connection to the Qi grew stronger, his perception of its subtle nuances expanding with each breath he took. He could feel the ebb and flow of energy around him, its currents swirling and dancing in a mesmerizing display of power and potential.

As he reached out with his senses, 621 could see the Qi shimmering in the air around him, its luminous tendrils reaching out to touch the world around him. With a gentle touch, he could manipulate the flow of energy, shaping it to his will with a newfound sense of mastery and control.

However, even if he had successfully advanced to the next realm, 621 still felt his body ache for some well-deserved rest. Understandably so since he had just used up most of his energy to resist the precarious transformation.

With each step, 621 felt the weight of his newfound power pressing down on him, his muscles trembling with exhaustion as he made his way towards his simple bed. Every movement sent a wave of discomfort rippling through his body.

As he finally reached his bed, 621 allowed himself to collapse onto the stone surface draped by dried hay, its harsh embrace offering a small measure of comfort against the aches and pains that wracked his body. With a weary sigh, he closed his eyes, feeling the darkness of sleep begin to envelop him.

Despite the lingering pain, there was a sense of satisfaction that washed over him as he settled into his makeshift bed. With a final, heavy breath, 621 surrendered to the embrace of sleep, allowing his weary body to drift off into the depths of unconsciousness.

...

In the embrace of a veiled figure, 621 found himself amidst a vast expanse of flowers that swayed gently in the breeze. The figure's form was obscured by a soft haze, its features hidden from view, yet 621 felt a strange sense of familiarity in its presence.

The field stretched out before him, a riot of colors as flowers of every hue danced gracefully under the warm rays of the sun. Each petal seemed to shimmer with its own inner light, casting delicate shadows on the lush green grass below. 621 could feel the gentle caress of the breeze against his skin, carrying with it the sweet scent of the blooms and the soft murmuring of unseen creatures hidden within the foliage.

The sky above was a brilliant tapestry of blues and violets, streaked with ribbons of pink and gold as the sun dipped towards the horizon. Wispy clouds drifted lazily across the heavens, casting ever-changing patterns of light and shadow on the landscape below. 621 couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the beauty of it all, as if he had stepped into a painting come to life.

As he wandered through the field, 621 noticed the subtle details that made this place feel alive. Butterflies flitted from flower to flower, their wings a riot of colors that matched the blooms around them. Bees hummed lazily as they went about their work, their busy buzzing a soothing melody that blended harmoniously with the gentle rustle of the leaves.

Despite the tranquility of the scene, 621 couldn't shake off a lingering sense of unease, a feeling that something was amiss. Though the landscape appeared idyllic on the surface, there was a tension in the air, a silent undercurrent of anticipation that prickled at the edges of his consciousness.

As he gazed out into the horizon, 621 sensed a shift in the atmosphere, a subtle tightening of the air that sent a shiver down his spine. It was as if the very earth itself was holding its breath, waiting for something unseen to unfold.

621 turned to face the hazy figure, a warm glow suffused his being, filling him with a sense of contentment and belonging. He felt as though he had finally found solace in the embrace of this mysterious entity, a feeling of home that had eluded him for so long.

But then, without warning, the scene shifted in a sudden and eerie fashion. The hazy figure began to waver, its form distancing, distorting and contorting as if being consumed by an unseen force before finally dissipating into the shadows. Darkness crept in from the edges of the landscape, swallowing everything in its path with a malevolent hunger.

In a matter of seconds, the once vibrant and idyllic scene was transformed into a nightmare realm of decay and despair. The flowers, once vibrant with color and life, withered and crumbled to dust at the slightest touch of the encroaching darkness. The wind, once gentle and soothing, howled with a sinister fury, whipping through the desolate landscape like a banshee's wail.

Above, the sun, once a beacon of warmth and light, bled crimson tears that stained the sky with a foreboding hue. Its rays cast long, twisted shadows that seemed to dance and writhe across the barren earth below. The grass, once lush and verdant, shriveled and died beneath 621's feet, turning to brittle husks that crumbled to dust with each step.

Even the creatures of this twisted realm were not spared from its malevolent influence. The bees and butterflies, once graceful and serene, dissolved into nothingness, their forms dissipating into a cloud of blood-red mist that hung heavy in the air.

Despite the chaos unfolding around him, 621's determination remained unwavering. With a sense of urgency driving him forward, he stretched out his hands towards the spot where the hazy figure had vanished, his movements frantic and desperate as he scrambled across the desolate landscape in search of answers.

621 dropped to his hands and knees, his fingers clawing desperately at the decaying soil, he felt a sudden chill shoot up his spine as his hand closed around something cold and solid. It was a foot, he realized, a surge of desperate hope flooded through him, his heart pounding in his chest as he slowly lifted his gaze to meet the gaze of the figure before him.

For a fleeting moment, he dared to believe that it might be the hazy figure, the one who had cradled him in warmth and light. But as he lifted his gaze, his hopes were dashed.

Instantly, a wave of fear washed over him, icy tendrils of dread coiling around his heart as he stared into the abyssal depths of those familiar eyes. They were eyes he had seen countless times before, in the darkest recesses of his nightmares, eyes filled with nothing but disgust and disdain for his very existence.

Unable to tear his gaze away, 621 felt as though he were being crushed beneath the weight of that withering stare, his breath catching in his throat as the figure's hand slowly began to creep towards his face. It moved with a deliberate slowness; each movement calculated to instill maximum terror in its victim.

As the hand drew closer, 621 felt as though he were rooted to the spot, his muscles frozen with a primal fear that gripped him like a vice. He could do nothing but watch helplessly as the dark figure's hand loomed ever closer, its fingers curling with a predatory hunger that sent shivers down his spine.

Then, just as the figure's hand was poised to strike, a deep, guttural voice resounded through the darkness, echoing in the depths of 621's soul. It was a voice filled with malice and contempt, dripping with clear disdain so potent it seemed to poison the very air around them.

"You are a mistake, a twisted aberration that should never have been allowed to exist."

And then, in the blink of an eye, 621's world was consumed by darkness, his senses overwhelmed by an abyssal void that swallowed him whole.