Ch 6: Mastery and New Challenges
Feng Chen stood at the edge of the forest, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon where the sun was beginning its slow ascent. The morning air was crisp, carrying with it the scent of dew and pine. He had come a long way from the weak, scrawny boy who had been cast out of the Feng Clan. His body was stronger, his mind sharper, and now, with his newly gained techniques, he was ready to grow even more powerful.
The techniques in his arsenal were basic by name, but Feng Chen knew better than to judge them by their simplicity. He could feel the latent power within them... a power that, if properly harnessed, could rival even the superior techniques of the Feng Clan. It was time to master them, to push himself to the next level.
"Alright, Feng Chen," he muttered to himself, stretching his arms as he prepared for another grueling day of training.
"Let's see just how far you can take this."
He spent the days honing his skills with an unwavering focus. Each day was a test of his willpower and endurance.
From dawn until dusk, he pushed himself to the limits, practicing the Heavenly Thunder Palm, refining his Qi Manipulation Technique, and testing his speed and agility with the Lightfoot Talisman. He poured every ounce of qi into his training, depleting it until he felt drained, then meditating to replenish his reserves.
Each morning, Feng Chen began his day with a series of deep breathing exercises, standing in the midst of the forest with his eyes closed. He could feel the qi in the air, the subtle energy that surrounded him, and he drew it into himself, letting it flow through his meridians.
His goal was simple yet challenging: to increase the purity and density of his qi. The more he practiced, the more he understood that qi wasn't just about raw power... it was about control, precision, and harmony.
"Only when the dirty water is depleted can the new, pure water be placed back into the bowl," Feng Chen repeated to himself as he trained, a mantra that kept him focused on his goal. He had learned that simply practicing wasn't enough... he needed to push his qi to its absolute limits, forcing out the impurities and replacing them with something stronger, something purer.
His days were a blend of physical and mental exertion. He practiced the Heavenly Thunder Palm until his hands ached, each strike crackling with the energy of lightning. At first, the technique was wild and untamed, the power difficult to control. But with each passing day, Feng Chen felt the energy become more responsive, more attuned to his will.
The strikes became faster, more accurate, and each time he used the technique, he could feel his connection to the qi within him deepening.
"Come on, just a little more!" Feng Chen gritted his teeth as he forced himself through another set of strikes, his arms trembling from the effort.
"I have to make this technique mine, not just something I use."
The days felt like hell. His body ached from the constant strain, his muscles burned with the effort of pushing beyond his limits, and his qi reserves were constantly drained to the point of exhaustion.
But Feng Chen welcomed the pain. It was a sign that he was growing, that he was pushing past the barriers that had held him back for so long. The relentless cycle of training and recovery was exhausting, but Feng Chen knew it was necessary. He had to break through these physical and mental barriers if he wanted to change his fate.
"I swear, system," Feng Chen groaned one afternoon, wiping sweat from his brow as he collapsed onto the ground,
"if this doesn't make me a powerhouse, I'm going to have some serious words with you."
Of course, the system remained silent, its usual method of communication being the ever-present notifications. Feng Chen couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. The system had become like a silent partner in his journey... always there, always pushing him forward, but never with a word of encouragement.
There were times when Feng Chen found himself complaining, muttering curses under his breath as he forced his body to keep moving.
"This is ridiculous," he grumbled as he pushed through another set of punches, his knuckles throbbing from the repeated impact.
"Who knew that trying to become a powerful cultivator would hurt this much?"
But then he would remind himself of the alternative... dying forgotten in a cave, weak and alone. Compared to that, this pain was nothing.
Despite the hardships, Feng Chen couldn't deny the results. His abilities grew stronger with each passing day. He could feel the techniques becoming an extension of himself, flowing more naturally with each repetition.
His body, too, was adapting to the rigorous training. His qi capacity had increased, far surpassing what was normal for someone in the Qi Condensation Realm. He could feel it... a surge of power that told him he was on the verge of something big.
And then, it happened. With a final burst of effort, Feng Chen broke through not just one, but two minor realms in quick succession. The energy flooded his body, filling him with a sense of accomplishment that made all the pain and effort worth it.
He stood in the center of his training ground, breathing heavily as the realization set in.
"I did it," he whispered, a smile spreading across his face.
"I actually did it!"
The sensation was exhilarating. His qi was more potent, his body more powerful, and his mind clearer than ever. Feng Chen flexed his fingers, feeling the energy thrumming beneath his skin, ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice. The satisfaction was immense, but just as he was about to revel in his success, a familiar blue screen appeared before him, blocking his view of the trees and sky.
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System Notification:-
Mission Complete! Would you like to claim your rewards?
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Feng Chen grinned, already feeling the excitement building.
"Yes!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the trees.
"Give me those rewards!"
As the rewards materialized before his eyes, Feng Chen couldn't help but think back to a recent discovery he had made... a hidden feature in the system that he hadn't expected.
During his physical training, the system had been incessantly nagging him with notifications, disrupting his focus. Frustrated and desperate for some peace, he had shouted at the system in exasperation, "Just go into do not disturb mode!"
To his astonishment, the system had complied. The notifications had stopped, and Feng Chen had been left in blessed silence.
"Hah! Who would've thought I'd figure out something like that?" Feng Chen chuckled, feeling rather pleased with himself.
"Guess I'm a genius after all."
It was a small victory, but one that made him feel oddly proud. The Do Not Disturb Mode had become his go-to setting during intense training, allowing him to focus without the constant interruption of system notifications. Now, as he deactivated the mode, the rewards from the last ten days came rushing in all at once.
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System Notification:-
Accumulated Rewards:-
- Day 1: Advanced Qi Manipulation Technique
- Day 2: Temporary Buff: Accelerated Muscular Development
- Day 3: Thunderstrike Talisman
- Day 4: Essence of Speed Elixir
- Day 5: Minor Spirit Beast Core
- Day 6: Swift Strike Technique Scroll
- Day 7: Reinforced Bones Pill
- Day 8: Qi Restoration Elixir
- Day 9: Improved Lightfoot Talisman (3 Uses)
- Day 10: Muscle-Enhancing Elixir & Temporary Buff: Increased Recovery Rate
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Feng Chen's eyes widened as he scanned through the list of rewards. It was like a treasure trove, each item more valuable than the last.
"This… this is insane!" he exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement.
"I didn't even realize I was racking up all this stuff! Man, this system really knows how to spoil me."
He eagerly reviewed the descriptions of each reward, feeling a surge of pride as he realized just how much he had gained.
The Advanced Qi Manipulation Technique would allow him to refine his control over qi to an even greater degree, making his attacks more precise and powerful.
The Swift Strike Technique Scroll promised to enhance his combat speed, allowing him to strike faster than his opponents could react.
And the Reinforced Bones Pill? Well, that would toughen his bones, making him much more resilient in battle... a valuable asset when facing stronger opponents.
As he browsed through the rewards, Feng Chen couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
"I guess all that pain and suffering was worth it after all," he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.
"These rewards are going to make me unstoppable!"
He marveled at his progress and the rewards he had earned, feeling an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. But just as he was basking in his success, the system had one more surprise for him.
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System Notification:-
New Mission: Test Your Strength!
Objective: Hunt 100 beasts and gather their cores.
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