The First Step Towards Power
Chapter 4 – The First Step Towards Power
The night wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the scent of fresh earth and the distant murmur of flowing water. Jiang Chen stood at the peak of a small hill behind his sect's crumbling courtyard, gazing up at the vast sky. The stars above shimmered like countless souls—some bright, some fading, much like the fate of cultivators in this treacherous world.
With the foundation of the cultivation system now understood, it was time to take his first real step towards power.
**"Sect System, open my status."**
A translucent blue screen materialized before his eyes.
> **[Sect Master: Jiang Chen]**
> **Cultivation Realm:** Mortal (Unawakened)
> **Spiritual Energy:** 0
> **Sect Rank:** Fallen Sect (Tier 9)
> **Disciples:** 0
> **Sect Resources:** 0
> **System Abilities Unlocked:** Spirit Convergence, Heavenly Insight, Guardian Formation
> **Next Objective:** Awaken Spiritual Energy (Reward: Sect Expansion Token)
Jiang Chen's gaze sharpened at the glaring truth—he was still at the lowest level of cultivation, his spiritual energy completely unawakened. Despite his experience from his past life, this new body was weak, unfamiliar, and devoid of the strength he once wielded. Before he could rebuild the sect, before he could take in disciples, before he could challenge the forces that had brought his former sect to ruin, he needed to awaken his own power.
**"The first step is Spiritual Awakening."** He took a deep breath and sat cross-legged beneath the moonlight.
The method for awakening spiritual energy varied among cultivators. Some relied on natural talent, while others used rare herbs or ancient rituals to force their bodies to adapt. Jiang Chen, however, had the **Sect System**, and that alone was an advantage beyond anything he had in his past life.
A notification appeared.
> **[Quest: Awaken Your Spiritual Energy]**
> **Method: Absorb natural energy through Spirit Convergence.**
> **Duration: Unknown.**
> **Reward: Sect Expansion Token + Increased Cultivation Speed.**
He wasted no time. Closing his eyes, he activated **Spirit Convergence**.
At first, nothing happened. The world around him remained still, the air as empty as before. But then, faint strands of energy—so delicate they were almost imperceptible—began drifting toward him.
It was like trying to cup water in his hands. The energy was all around, but it slipped through his fingers, refusing to be contained. Jiang Chen frowned. **Spirit Convergence** should be drawing in energy, so why was it so weak?
Then he realized it.
**This body… it is too frail.**
In his past life, his meridians had long been refined through decades of training. This new body, however, had no foundation—it was no different from that of an ordinary mortal. The **passageways within his body were clogged, impure, and unable to absorb energy efficiently.**
He gritted his teeth. "So I have to refine my own body first…"
**A Plan for Awakening**
In cultivation, the refinement of the body always came first. The stronger the foundation, the greater the capacity to absorb and refine spiritual energy. Fortunately, Jiang Chen wasn't ignorant of such methods. He had knowledge of old, forgotten training techniques—methods that others had discarded in favor of shortcuts, but which he knew were the key to true strength.
Standing up, he looked toward the forest. **He needed a proper location to temper his body.**
With quiet steps, he made his way to a nearby river, its waters flowing cool and swift under the moonlight. Jiang Chen knelt by the bank and placed his hand into the rushing stream, feeling the pulse of nature's energy. **Water cultivation techniques emphasized patience, adaptability, and relentless perseverance.** This river would serve as the first test.
Removing his outer robe, he stepped into the frigid water. Immediately, a chilling sensation seeped into his bones, but he gritted his teeth and focused.
**Breathe. Focus. Feel the energy.**
He entered a stance, spreading his arms as if embracing the flow of the river. The technique he was using was called **"Flowing Meridian Cleansing"**, an ancient method meant to flush out impurities and strengthen the body's internal energy channels.
The river pushed against him, threatening to sweep him away, but he resisted. Instead of fighting it, he moved with the current, allowing his muscles to adapt, his meridians to be tempered by the relentless force of nature.
Minutes passed. Then an hour.
The night deepened, and Jiang Chen's breathing grew labored, but he did not stop. He cycled through the method again and again, **forcing his body to adapt**.
**Then, it happened.**
A warm sensation, faint but unmistakable, flickered in his dantian. It was like a spark catching firewood, fragile yet full of potential.
**A wisp of spiritual energy.**
Jiang Chen opened his eyes, a triumphant glint flashing within them. **He had taken the first step.**
> **[System Notification: Spiritual Awakening Initiated!]**
> **Cultivation Realm: Mortal (Stage 1 Awakening)**
> **Spiritual Energy: 1**
It was minuscule. A single drop in an ocean. But it was enough.
The first barrier had been broken.
He stepped out of the river, his muscles aching, his breath unsteady, but his heart burned with newfound excitement. This was only the beginning.
### **The Path Forward**
As dawn's first light painted the horizon, Jiang Chen returned to the sect grounds, his clothes damp but his spirit invigorated. He had taken his first step, but there was still much to do.
1. **He needed to continue tempering his body** to strengthen his foundation.
2. **He needed to gather resources**—herbs, medicinal baths, or even rare treasures that could accelerate his cultivation.
3. **He needed disciples.** A sect was nothing without its members, and if he wanted to rebuild the Azure Cloud Sect, he needed to start recruiting.
The Sect System chimed.
> **[New Sect Quest Unlocked!]**
> **Task: Recruit First Disciple.**
> **Reward: Sect Expansion Token + Spiritual Energy Infusion (10 Points).**
A smile tugged at Jiang Chen's lips. **It was time to find those who would walk this path with him.**
His journey as a Sect Master had truly begun.
—**End of Chapter 4**—