Xian Wei's body felt rigid and unyielding as he roused from his slumber, the intense storm having left him mentally and physically exhausted. He winced as he struggled out of his sleeping hole, his foot throbbing with pain. He brought his foot to an angle to look at the hole, the metal was still lodged in his tender skin. He found difficulty ignoring the pain in his foot as he tucked the cloth cover under his clothes. Feeling an itch in his throat, Xian Wei reached for a water skin from his sack. But as he brought it to his lips, he was met with disappointment. The skin was empty, and he frowned in frustration. Checking the other water skin, he could tell from its weight that it too was devoid of any liquid.
He retraced his steps, looking for a source of hydration. Quickly finding the two dead sandscales. “Fuck, I don’t want to dig around in THAT…” he thought, his senses picking up something off about the corpses. Kneeling down, he noticed their blood had a strange odor. Intrigued, he delicately dipped his finger into the dark liquid, his curiosity piqued. He then drew out the ancient tome with a flourish of crimson. He quickly flipped through, looking for anything related to blood. His finger left a trail of dark liquid on the pages as he did. The blood contrasted starkly against the yellowed parchment, creating an eerie and surreal scene as he opened the book. Nothing. As he did, his fingers left a thin, almost translucent trail of glistening crimson. He noticed the sensation of the blood on his skin was strangely cooling, as if it carried within it a hidden property. An idea struck him – perhaps he could drink their blood to sustain himself in this desolate place.
Cupping his hands, Xian Wei scooped some blood out of the larger corpse and despite the taste, he gulped down multiple handfuls of the liquid, quenching his thirst for now. Inspired, he decided to continue Hojung Peng’s work and wrote his own entry on the inside of the book cover using the blood as ink. He scribbled in the ancient tome with the crimson blood, noting, “Their blood glistens like a rose in the moonlight, yet it quenches my thirst like water.” Noting that the substance was incredibly thin, resembling water as he dipped his fingers into it again to write an additional line, “No known side effects.” With careful precision, he filled both of his water skins with the alluring liquid, taking in its unique aroma and texture before moving on, his thirst quenched and his mind filled with wonder.
As Xian Wei looked around he couldn't help but notice the eerie silence that had replaced the raging winds. The pit he had fallen into was deep, with smooth walls that seemed to glow faintly with an otherworldly light. As Xian Wei peered up at the edge of the pit, he realized that the ruins surrounding him were unlike anything he had ever seen. The inscriptions on the walls were etched in a language he couldn't understand, and the symbols seemed to pulsate with an ancient power. The air inside the pit felt heavy, as if charged with an unseen energy, and Xian Wei could sense a palpable sense of danger. He carefully examined the walls of the pit, tracing his fingers over the smooth surface, trying to make sense of the inscriptions. Despite his best efforts, the meaning remained elusive, and he couldn't shake off the feeling of foreboding that hung in the air. The sand and rocks within the pit were charred black, and Xian Wei realized that this was no ordinary ruin. It was a place steeped in mystery and darkness, with secrets that were meant to remain hidden. Xian Wei's curiosity was piqued, but so was his caution. He knew that he needed to be careful, as he was alone and trapped in this enigmatic pit. The storm may have subsided, but the sense of danger lingered. He decided to stay within the confines of the pit for now, observing his surroundings with a wary eye. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being watched, and the pulsating inscriptions on the walls seemed to hum with an eerie energy. Xian Wei's senses were on high alert as he waited, contemplating his next move, determined to unlock the secrets of this mysterious place while being mindful of the potential dangers that lurked in the shadows.
As Xian Wei meticulously examined the environment, his keen senses picked up a faint scent that bore a striking resemblance to the one he had been tirelessly tracking. The scent seemed to emanate from the ancient runes adorning the walls of the ruin, intriguing him. With a focused concentration, Xian Wei isolated a fragment of his energy in his eyes, enhancing his vision to peer closely at the intricate markings. He circled the pit, his eyes scanning every nook and cranny, until his sharp gaze caught something amiss. Hidden behind the fallen pillar, Xian Wei's perceptive eyes spotted a defaced section of the wall, the result of the obelisk's devastating impact. Letting out a resigned sigh, Xian Wei lowered himself to the ground and sat before the towering monolith of glass. Drawing upon the qi within his bones, he began channeling the energy through his bones, stimulating the meridians along his central axis. He could feel the qi flowing through him, strengthening his cells and hardening his skin, it felt as if even his blood had turned to stone.
He grasped his fathers rotten sword tightly and swung it with all his might at the pillar. Ignoring the blazing revulsion from his foot, the edge of his scabbard struck the column with a resounding crack. To his surprise, the pillar remained standing. Xian Wei’s hands stung from the impact, he winced in pain as he felt the shockwave reverberate through his arms. He tried again, putting all his strength into the swing, but the pillar remained unyielding. Xian Wei's frustration grew as he realized that even the rotten sword, which had served him well in battles before, was no match for the pillar's enhanced structure. He reluctantly abandoned the idea of using it as a blunt weapon, realizing that the pillar's mystical nature and durability were beyond his expectations.
As Xian Wei dropped the rotten sword at his feet, he heard an eerie crackling sound. The hilt of the blade suddenly leapt out of the sheath. He lifted the scabbard and watched as hundreds of metal shards fell from its mouth. He gazed at the monolith with a determined expression. He knew that brute force alone would not be enough to break the pillar, he needed to come up with a new approach. With his mind racing, he sat down in a meditative posture, tapping into his inner reserves of qi. Hours passed as he focused his thoughts and channeled the qi through his meridians with the [100 Lead Arcs] technique. Suddenly, it struck him – if he could fill a hole in his foot, why not create something with his technique, why not create weapons? The idea was both exciting and challenging. He had never attempted to shape qi into solid objects before*, and he knew it would require immense control and precision. But he was determined to try.
For the next few days, Xian Wei remained in the pit, fully immersed in practicing his technique. He ate meat and drank blood from the two sandscales. Noting in the book that the meat was also safe, as far as he could tell. He managed as best he could regarding his cracked ribs, unable to treat his own internal wounds. His foot, swollen in the beginning, but surprisingly swift was the metal settled within his ankle.
Xian Wei experimented with the process of qi transmutation, finding it easier to accumulate in his extremities. With his hands he began trying to materialize more from his technique. With great concentration, Xian Wei placed one hand over the other, aligning his palms and fingers so that they touched as much as possible. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, centering his focus on the qi within him. Slowly, he began to channel the qi through his meridians, guiding it with his intention towards his hands. At first, it was challenging to control the flow of qi with such precision. The energy surged and fluctuated, resisting his attempts to shape it into a tangible form. Xian Wei's hands trembled as he struggled to maintain his concentration, but he refused to give up. He persisted, adjusting his technique and refining his control with each attempt.
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As he continued to practice, Xian Wei felt a tingling sensation in his hands, a sign that his efforts were paying off. The qi gradually began to take on a tangible form, coalescing into a faint outline of an object. It was a thrilling sight, and Xian Wei's excitement grew as he realized he was making progress. He could feel the metal forming between his hands, able to mold it as if it were liquid. Within a few minutes he produced an object. A simple lead ball, just large enough to hold in the palm of his hand. He placed the orb on the sand in front of him, the first of many.
With new-found excitement and renewed determination Xian Wei continued. He focused on refining the materialization process. He experimented with different hand movements, varying the intensity and duration of his qi flow, and honing his visualization skills. He discovered that the qi responded to his intentions and mental imagery, as well as touch, shaping itself into the desired form.
As he practiced day after day, Xian Wei became more proficient in materializing objects from his technique. He started with simple shapes like spheres and cubes, gradually progressing to more complex objects. His first breakthrough came when he successfully replicated his father’s sword. He spent the majority of his time intricately crafting the hundreds of shards the blade had become. Fusing the shards together was easy comparatively. He tied the lead blade to its hilt using a strip of hide, taken from the adult sandscale.
With his weapon now complete, he briefly marveled at the fine details of the object’s hilt. Among the intricate patterns, Xian Wei noticed a small constellation etched onto the hilt. The stars in the constellation seemed to twinkle as if alive, their arrangement forming a familiar pattern that sent a shiver down Xian Wei's spine. It was the same arrangement he had seen in his dream. The constellation on the hilt seemed to beckon Xian Wei, urging him to follow the path it had revealed to him. With a sense of reverence, Xian Wei traced his fingers along the constellation, committing it to memory.
Having completed his weapon, Xian Wei turned his unwavering focus towards addressing the unique challenge of his injured foot. Despite still having his foot intact, he was missing a hole straight through his ankle, making it difficult for him to rotate his ankle and move with ease. Drawing upon his knowledge of qi transmutation and his own body's meridians, Xian Wei began experimenting with various designs to fill the void and restore functionality to his foot. He painstakingly crafted and tested each design, determined to find a solution that would allow him to regain full mobility. Numerous attempts ended in failure, as some designs were too cumbersome, impeding his movement, while others didn't provide the necessary support. However, Xian Wei's indomitable spirit refused to yield to setbacks, and he persisted in his efforts with unwavering determination.
Through trial and error, he refined his creations, drawing upon his ingenuity and expertise to find a solution. He carefully channeled his qi into his technique, using his precise control to shape the materializing object into a form that would fit seamlessly with his ankle. After countless iterations, Xian Wei finally stumbled upon a design that showed great promise. It allowed him to rotate his ankle and mimic the natural movement of his foot, filling the void with an object that provided the necessary support and stability.
Anticipation filling his mind, Xian Wei affixed the object to his leg, marveling at the ingenuity of his own creation. He tested its functionality with great anticipation, and was overjoyed to find that it performed admirably, restoring his foot's mobility and allowing him to move with renewed agility.
Armed with his formidable weapon and his newly crafted solution for his foot, Xian Wei stood tall, brimming with confidence and determination as he approached the pillar with a leisurely stride. As a sign of reverence, he reached out with an outstretched hand and made contact with the pillar's surface for the first time. He took note of its texture, feeling the gritty sand that coated its surface and the coldness that seemed to emanate from it. As he touched it, Xian Wei couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness, as if the pillar lacked any trace of spirit or vitality. He turned away from the pillar, taking a few paces backward, needing a moment to process his thoughts.
Xian Wei gripped the lead blade tightly, his muscles coiled with anticipation. With a swift and fluid motion, he swung the blade with all his might, channeling his enhanced strength into the strike. The blade sliced through the air, cutting through the silence of the pit with a resounding whoosh. As the blade made contact with the pillar, a cacophony of sound erupted. The impact reverberated through the air, causing the icy surface of the pillar to crack and splinter. Millions of tiny shards scattered in all directions, glinting in the dim light of the pit like a shower of frozen stars. Xian Wei's attack left a visible mark on the pillar, with deep cracks running across its surface. A larger fragment slid to the ground as it fell, landing with a satisfying thud, while others dissipated into a fine dust.
Xian Wei stepped back, his eyes wide with wonder at the result of his attack. He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and amazement at the power he had unleashed with the lead blade. The pillar, once seemingly impervious, now bore the scar of his assault. However, Xian Wei also noticed that despite the damage he had inflicted, the pillar remained standing.
Xian Wei's eyes blazed with determination as he launched himself at the frozen pillar, his sword clenched tightly in his hands. He unleashed a flurry of powerful strikes, using all his enhanced strength and martial prowess to break through the frozen monolith that stood in his way. He struck with unrestrained fury, each blow aimed to chip away at the pillar and reveal the source of the potent qi that emanated from behind it. His movements were fluid and precise, a symphony of calculated strikes and controlled force as he relentlessly attacked the pillar, his unwavering resolve driving him forward. The sound of metal meeting the frozen surface echoed through the air, accompanied by the cracking and splintering of ice. Xian Wei's blade struck with staggering force, leaving deep gouges in the surface of the pillar. His muscles strained with the effort, sweat glistening on his brow.
Despite his best efforts, the pillar remained standing, its icy surface proving to be an unyielding barrier. He noticed that his hands were growing sore, bruised and bleeding from the impacts. Xian Wei's frustration grew, but he refused to give up. He doubled his efforts, delivering even more powerful strikes, pouring every ounce of his enhanced strength and skill into the assault. Xian Wei's relentless assault continued for hours, his body aching with exhaustion as he struck the pillar again and again.
Xian Wei finally paused, taking a moment to catch his breath, sweat and blood dripping from his body. He gazed at the pillar with a mix of frustration and fascination, his mind racing with possibilities. “One more should do it.” he sighed. Xian Wei took a shallow breath and unleashed a final, powerful strike at the frozen pillar. The force behind the blow was immense, and this time, he felt a satisfying crack as a piece of the icy surface finally gave way. He quickly stepped back, watching as a chunk of ice broke off and fell to the ground, revealing what lay hidden behind it.
Xian Wei studied the wall before him, adorned with an engraved constellation. Embedded in the wall were several sparkling gems, arranged to mimic stars. He couldn't help but notice that the spot where the first star should be was vacant. As he continued to study the gems, he realized that the source of the qi he had been sensing all along was emanating from the last jewel. Its brilliance was undeniable, and it seemed to pulsate with a mysterious energy that intrigued and fascinated him. Xian Wei couldn't help but be captivated by the jewel, and he reached out to touch it, drawn to its mesmerizing glow. As his fingertips made contact with the jewel, he felt a surge of energy coursing through him. It was as if the jewel had awakened something within him, resonating with his own inner qi.
He could feel the power of the gem flowing through his body, its energy carved through him easily, purifying his veins and enhancing the flow of his natural qi.