Chapter 20: Walking The path of Infinity

Adrian listened intently as Cosmo continued, his tone carrying an almost reverent weight.

"This is just the beginning, Adrian," Cosmo said. "There are many more aspects of the Path of Infinity that you have yet to unlock. Unlike others who confine themselves within limitations, you will walk a path where even your own understanding will deny what is truly infinite."

Adrian clenched his fists, his mind racing. This path sounded powerful, yet he noticed a glaring problem.

"What if I enter a place with no Qi?" he asked, a serious expression settling on his face. "What happens if I'm sealed in a place completely devoid of energy? Won't I be completely helpless?"

Cosmo didn't hesitate to answer.

"That is a valid concern," he admitted. "The Path of Infinity, while superior in many ways, does have flaws. But it also has ways to counteract them."

He paused for a moment before explaining.

"First, while your body doesn't store Qi like others, you can still create an emergency reserve—a small amount of Qi that cycles within your body. It won't be as large as a cultivator's core, but it will allow you to sustain yourself for a limited period in places where Qi is completely absent."

Adrian nodded, but he still wasn't fully convinced.

"And if I'm completely sealed away? If I run out of even that emergency reserve?"

Cosmo chuckled.

"That is where the deeper aspects of the Path come in. You see, as you advance, you will gain the ability to form Qi links—not just within your current location, but across different realms. Even if you are standing in a place without Qi, your body will remain connected to these distant sources, drawing Qi from afar as if you were still there."

Adrian's eyes widened.

"You mean… even if I'm trapped in a sealed space, I could still absorb Qi from another world?"

Cosmo confirmed with an amused hum.

"Exactly. The moment you unlock this ability, you will no longer be bound by location. Your connection to Qi will remain unbroken."

Adrian's heartbeat quickened. This wasn't just about infinite Qi—it was about never being cut off. No matter where he was, he would never truly be powerless.

Cosmo wasn't finished.

"And there is more."

Adrian focused.

"The Path of Infinity does not just absorb Qi—it absorbs energy itself. As you refine your body, you will gain the ability to convert various forms of energy into Qi. Heat, kinetic force, even life force and soul energy—as a last resort. Though you don't yet understand soul energy, you will in time."

Adrian's breath hitched. This was insane.

"But perhaps its most terrifying advantage is this," Cosmo said, his voice lowering. "You will develop the ability to absorb the Qi within techniques themselves."

Adrian froze and cosmo continued, "If an opponent attacks you with a Qi-based technique, your body will naturally strip away the Qi in the attack, neutralizing it. A fireball, a lightning strike, a sword energy slash—so long as they are formed from Qi, your body will devour their strength, rendering them ineffective. This makes you nearly immune to any Qi-based techniques that rely on external energy."

Adrian clenched his fists tighter. This was no ordinary path. This was the path of endless endurance, of never exhausting, of turning an enemy's strength into his own.

"Of course," Cosmo added, his voice carrying a note of warning. "This path is not without its difficulties. It will take time before you master all of its aspects, and there are hidden dangers along the way. But as you progress, all weaknesses will be resolved, and you will understand the true essence of Infinity."

Adrian exhaled slowly, then nodded. "Then I will walk this path."

Cosmo chuckled again, the light within the cube pulsing softly.

"Good. Then let your journey toward the infinite begin."

Adrian sat cross-legged, his back straight, eyes sharp with anticipation. He had spent years preparing for this moment, and now, at last, he was about to take his first step into the world of cultivation.

He took a slow breath, steadying himself. "So, what do I need to do first?"

Cosmo's voice resonated in his mind, steady and instructive.

"First, you must sense the QI in the air. But not through any technique."

Adrian's brows furrowed slightly. "Without a technique? But isn't that what techniques are for? To guide energy absorption?"

A deep chuckle echoed within him. "That's exactly why I don't want you to rely on one."

Adrian listened carefully as Cosmo continued.

"Techniques act as a crutch. They help, but they also impose limitations. If you rely solely on structured methods, your control over QI will always be restricted by their framework. However, if you learn to sense and manipulate QI naturally—without any technique—your mastery over energy will be unmatched. You will not be bound by a set path, and your ability to manipulate energy will be closer to perfection, at least within your current realm."

Adrian's eyes gleamed with understanding. "So, if I can do this, my control over QI will be far superior to anyone else at my level?"

"Exactly."

Cosmo's voice held a note of approval. "Although it won't compare to those in higher realms, at your stage, you will surpass nearly everyone. That is the first step of the Path of Infinity—mastery of energy at its most fundamental level."

Adrian nodded. "Alright, how do I start?"

"Close your eyes. Breathe. Let yourself become aware of the QI around you. Don't force it—just feel it."

Adrian sat cross-legged, his posture straight, his breathing calm.

Following Cosmo's instructions, he closed his eyes and focused, trying to sense the QI in the air without using any techniques.

Minutes passed. Then an hour.

Nothing.

Yet Adrian didn't waver. He simply adjusted his breathing and tried again.

Two hours.

Still nothing.

Even as more time passed, he remained calm. He knew that if cultivation were easy, everyone would succeed.

Finally, after nearly three hours, he opened his eyes and asked, "Cosmo, am I doing something wrong?"

His voice wasn't impatient—just thoughtful, as if analyzing a puzzle.

Cosmo chuckled. "Not wrong, but inefficient. You're assuming QI is the same everywhere. But it's not."

Adrian frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

Cosmo explained, "QI gathers in certain places while being thinner in others. Instead of trying to sense it everywhere at once, shift your focus. Try feeling the air near the ground, then near your hands, then above your head."

Adrian nodded and did as instructed. Instead of passively waiting for something to happen, he searched.

And then—he felt it.

A slight resistance above his head, like denser air. It was subtle, faint, but unmistakable.

His eyes lit up. "I think I felt something."

Cosmo hummed approvingly. "Good. You're starting to understand. QI is everywhere, but a true cultivator learns to find it where it's strongest and adapt to it."

Adrian exhaled slowly. This was only the first step, but he had taken it.

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