The sun was low on the horizon as Joon-woo slowly returned home. The previous events were still replaying in his head. The sudden encounter with Yoon Se-ri, and the fight with the Madred’s… It was an experience that still made his heart throb in excitement. At first it was scary, but as the fight went on, he realized he’s no longer weak and helpless as he once was back in his days of being a slum rat. He could feel himself growing stronger.
As he walked, Joon-woo felt the familiar presence in the back of his mind, he was sure of it now, it wasn’t his subconscious, it was clearly the System. Ever since he got it, it was always there, even when it was not issuing him Quests, or giving him notification, The System was still on the back of his mind, as a silent companion guiding his path and cheering him on. The reward he got from earlier, The Qi Condensing Pill, was tucked safely in his satchel. It was something beyond anything he could have hoped for, he heard of pills like these back on the Ironwood market, sometimes, traveling merchants would have pills like these with them, with their cost being very high. He could feel the Qi packed inside of it, and he was certain of it. This pill is capable of finally opening the doors to him into the Qi Gathering Stage.
Joon-woo wanted to pop the pill right there and then, but the System warned him that something like that must be done in a secluded and safe environment, especially in the case of a breakthrough.
As he made his way back home, to his secluded cottage, Joon-woo thought about Granny Ko… how kind of her to give him that cottage, it was finally a place away from all the filth, where he could live in peace. It was a simple cottage, but it was his, and it provided the perfect environment for his training
As he was getting closer, the path to his home could already be seen, the path being obstructed by arching trees that formed a natural barrier which shielded it from prying eyes. The sound of the current flowing nearby was a constant source of calm background noise, coupled with the singing of the birds, he couldn’t have wished for anything better.
As Joon-woo approached his home, he finally felt a sense of safety. He could focus on meditation without fear of interruption. He now had the opportunity to harness the pill that The System gave him.
He entered the cottage. The interior was quite modest, but it didn’t bother him in the slightest. Joon-woo placed his satchel on the floor, and retrieved the Qi Condensing Pill from it. The pill was mesmerizing, it faintly glowed with a soft blue light, it felt like he was holding a droplet of a Qi ocean in his hand.
This is it. After he consumes this pill, he would definitely be on the path of a cultivator. He could already feel the Qi deep within the pill. This would give him the power to change his odds of survival. The difference between someone who’s a cultivator and a mere mortal is day and night, as he saw firsthand. Sure, he was not a liability, but he saw the power of Se-ri, and even though she didn’t say it, Joon-woo suspected she was one, a cultivator. She had to be, those precise and swift movements, the power she displayed while effortlessly slaying those beasts. He can’t compare to her yet… but maybe, this pill would give him the chance to close the gap.
Jin-woo took a deep breath, he cleared his mind of all distractions. He carefully picked the pill with his right hand and raised his hand near his mouth. The pill felt cold against his skin.
With a determined expression, he swallowed the pill. Its effect was immediate, as a surge of energy bursted through his body, like a strong current of fire flowing through his veins. His own Qi swole and was beginning to expand as a response to this energy.
He quickly sat down on the mat, crossed-legged and closed his eyes as his mind began to focus on guiding the energy and his Qi through the meridians. The sensation was overwhelming him, it was a mix of pain and exhilaration, as he struggled to contain the influx of energy. But he held firm, he refused to let this power go and overcome him. He channeled the Qi with precision, instinctively being guided by the System.
Minutes have passed, he felt them like hours. The noises from his surrounding environment faded away, leaving only the vibrations of the Qi within him, and the steady heartbeat. He could feel the breakthrough
System Notification
Congratulations! You have broken the Martial Disciple level, and entered the level of Martial Adept!
He could now feel the wall of the Qi Gathering stage, he could now see the cracks in that wall, he could see the places where he could focus his newfound energy to break past it.
Joon-woo gritted his teeth and pushed harder, channeling all of his Qi pushing through the cracks. The wall resisted, but he could feel it, it was giving in. With one final push, he broke through. A rush of energy suddenly flooded in his body as the wall had been shattered, his own Qi began condensing into a powerful swirling vortex at his dantian. He weakly gasped, the sensation was overwhelming, it was euphoric. He actually had done so, he broke the Mortal Foundation Realm, and entered the Qi Gathering stage.
Stolen story; please report.
System Notification
Congratulations! You have broken the stage of Martial Adept, and entered the Stage of Qi Gathering
As a bonus for entering into another realm, you have been granted the following reward:
+1 [ Strength ], +1 [ Stamina ], +1 [ Agility ]
For a long moment of silence, he simply sat there, allowing the energy to settle, as he adjusted to the new Qi found within himself. He could feel the difference immediately. His body felt stronger, his senses were sharper, and his Qi… it was clearly more visible now.
Slowly, Joon-woo opened his eyes, the world around him was back, the walls of the cottage were coming back into focus. He got up, feeling the newfound strength in his limbs and core.With a thought, Joon-woo summoned his Status Window, eager to see the changes.
Status Screen
Name
Kang Joon-woo Title Riverside Cultivator Age 16 Level 1 [ 80/100 EXP ] Cultivation Level Qi Gathering Stage ( Initial ) Qi 60 Units Strength 3 Agility 5 Stamina 4
Skills Iron Fist ( Basic ): A refined martial technique that enhances the strength and impact of physical strikes done with the fist
Seeing the new stats, Joon-woo couldn’t help but smile, the changes brought him a sense of pride and accomplishment. Just as he began to gather his thoughts on his next move, the System quickly appeared once again, with a new notification
System Notification
A new Quest has been created!
Quest Refinement and Stability Objective
- Refine and stabilize your Qi Gathering stage through focused meditation.
- Ensure that your newfound power is fully under your control before attempting further advancements.
Reward: +30 EXP
Well, it was a clear message. The breakthrough was just the beginning, he needed to make sure that the foundation of his newfound power is solid.
Joon-woo would spend the next few days in deep meditation, refining his Qi and solidifying the foundation of his Qi Gathering stage.
Further away, lurking in the shadows, a certain individual felt the faint surge in power....