Chapter 10 Arrival at the Sect
After receiving his reward and being officially accepted as an outer disciple of the *Immortal Fist Sect*, Wang Lin was taken, along with the other approved youths, into the sect. An inner disciple, dressed in clothes that indicated a higher status, led the group. He was a young man, but the confident aura he emanated made it clear that he was no ordinary person.
"Welcome to the Immortal Fist Sect. I am Wu Han, responsible for introducing you outer disciples to the basics of the sect. Follow me, and avoid falling behind."
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The first stop was the dormitories. The buildings were simple but organized. Each room accommodated up to four outer disciples and had only the basics: wooden beds, a small chest to store belongings, and a table for study or meditation.
Wu Han pointed at the buildings. "These are the dormitories. You will have to share the space with others, but that is the reality of outer disciples. Only when you prove your worth will you be able to advance and obtain individual rooms in the inner disciples' quarters. Each of you will be informed about your room and companions after this introduction." Wang Lin observed the buildings carefully. It was not luxurious, but it was better than the small space he had slept in back home. After passing through the dormitories, Wu Han led them to a larger, more elaborate building. At the top was the symbol of the sect: a clenched fist surrounded by a golden aura. "This is the *Mission Hall*," Wu Han said. "Here, you will take on tasks to accumulate contribution points. These points are the sect's most important currency, granting access to techniques, pills, weapons, and even time in advanced cultivation areas." Inside the hall, there was a large board with missions. Wang Lin noticed that the tasks were separated by difficulty level, indicating which ones could be completed by outer, inner, or core disciples.
Wu Han continued, "The missions range from collecting spirit herbs and hunting beasts to escorting caravans and investigating dangerous locations. Only take on missions that you can complete, or you will end up dead. The sect spares no time to mourn fools."
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The next location was a vast outdoor training ground. Several areas were divided for different types of practice: unarmed combat, weapons training, and meditation. At one end, there was a raised platform where a few disciples were fiercely exchanging blows.
"This is the *Training Center*," Wu Han explained. "Here, you will train your combat and cultivation techniques. Fighting on the platform is allowed, but remember: here, strength dictates the rules. If you cannot defend yourself, you will lose even basic respect."
Wang Lin felt a chill as he saw the intensity of the battles on the platform. Disciples moved with astonishing speed, their fighting techniques leaving marks on the stone floor.
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Lastly, Wu Han led them to a building that radiated a sense of importance. "This is the Sect Library. Only outer disciples with contribution points can access its techniques and manuals. The best techniques are reserved for the inner and core disciples, but there is enough here for you to strengthen yourselves."
Looking at the library, Wang Lin felt a mix of anxiety and determination. He knew he would need powerful techniques if he wanted to survive in the cultivation world.
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After the introduction was over, Wu Han dismissed them. Wang Lin headed to the dormitory he had been assigned. He sat on his simple bed, reflecting on everything he had seen.
"Here, strength is everything," he thought. "If I want to advance, I can't just settle down. I need to earn my place."
The first step would be to take a mission from the hall, but Wang Lin knew that before that, he needed to understand more about the resources available. He also remembered the library. "I need a cultivation technique that will help me quickly rise."
With these resolutions in mind, Wang Lin closed his eyes, allowing himself to rest before beginning his journey as an outer disciple of the Immortal Fist Sect.
Wang Lin, still organizing his few belongings in the simple dormitory, was interrupted by the familiar mechanical sound of his system:
"MAIN MISSION COMPLETE!"
Rewards:
1. Breakthrough to Peak of Body Refinement.
2. Special item received:Reinforced Combat Glove.
Intense heat coursed through Wang Lin's body as he felt his cultivation take an overwhelming leap. His muscles pulsated, as if they were tempered steel, and his skin seemed tougher, shining under the soft light of the dormitory. He took a deep breath, feeling more powerful than ever.
Shortly after, the glove appeared in front of him, floating in the air. It was a sturdy piece of material, made of a black material with deep red details, like rune marks that seemed to glow softly. The fingers were reinforced with metal plates, and the knuckles sported sharp points, making it a deadly weapon for close-quarters combat.
"This glove…" Wang Lin thought as he held it. As he touched it, he felt a strange connection, as if the item had been waiting for him. He put it on, and a surge of power ran through his arm. The glove seemed to perfectly fit the size of his hand, becoming a natural extension of his body.
System Item Description:
**Reinforced Combat Glove (Grade A):
- Increases physical strength by 30%.
- Amplifies the impact of strikes, causing additional internal damage to enemies.
- Has passive ability:Devastating Impact – a concentrated strike that can cause a shockwave.
- Limitation: Excessive use can rapidly consume Qi.
Wang Lin looked at the description and smiled. "With this, no enemy of my level will be a match."
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However, the system didn't let him relax for long. A new notification popped up.
"SIDE MISSION AVAILABLE!"
- Objective:Defeat an outer disciple in a fight at the sect's training center.
- Reward: Minor Strengthening Pill.
Wang Lin frowned. He knew that in the world of cultivation, fighting was inevitable. This was an opportunity to test his new skills and the glove. He stood up, cracking his gloved fingers, and muttered to himself:
"Let's see how I fare against the disciples of this sect."
He left the dormitory, walking towards the training center, where the challenges would only begin.
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I will leave you with an explanation of the Qi Condensation stage
The Qi Condensation Stage is the second milestone on the path of cultivation, where the cultivator begins to transcend the limits of the mortal body and truly enter the world of Qi. Unlike Body Refinement, which strengthens the physical body, this stage focuses on the manipulation and storage of Qi within the body.
Characteristics of the Qi Condensation Stage
1. Dantian Condensation:
The first step in this stage is the formation of a Qi core within the dantian, the central point of energy in the cultivator's body. This core is like a seed that stores and amplifies Qi absorbed from the environment.
2. Qi Absorption and Refinement:
Cultivators learn to absorb Qi from nature—whether from the air, soil, or natural resources such as herbs and spirit stones—and refine it in their core, transforming it into pure and powerful energy.
3. Division into Levels:
The Qi Condensation Stage is divided into 9 levels, just like Body Refinement.
- Levels 1 to 3: The cultivator learns to sense and manipulate Qi. This allows them to slightly strengthen their attacks, increase their stamina, and use basic techniques.
- Levels 4 to 6: The Qi becomes denser, and the cultivator can begin to use more advanced skills, such as ranged attacks, elemental reinforcement, and defensive techniques. - Levels 7-9: Qi reaches a density close to that of liquid, drastically increasing the cultivator's strength. At this point, he or she can compete with dozens of Body Refinement opponents at once.
4. Elemental Connection:
During this stage, many cultivators awaken affinities with natural elements such as fire, water, earth, air, or lightning, shaping their techniques and combat styles.
5. Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts:
The use of specific techniques is essential at this stage. Each cultivator needs a cultivation method suited to their talent and style in order to efficiently condense Qi.
6. Survival and Risks:
The transition from Body Refinement to Qi Condensation is a dangerous one. Many fail in the process due to lack of resources, inadequate techniques, or instability in the Qi core. An unstable core can lead to the dispersion of Qi and the death of the cultivator.
Benefits of the Qi Condensation Stage
- Body Enhancement: While focusing on Qi, the body is also strengthened, gaining greater resistance to injuries and poisons.
- Accessibility to More Powerful Techniques: At this stage, more devastating skills can be learned and mastered.
- Increased Longevity: With Qi flowing through the body, aging is significantly slowed down.
Significance on the Path of Cultivation
The Qi Condensation Stage is where the cultivator ceases to be a beginner and begins to walk the true path of power. For many, surpassing this stage means entering a world of infinite possibilities, but also immeasurable dangers.