The Battle begins

He sat down on a nearby rock. "Normally, cultivators use Spiritual Energy as the foundation of their strength. There are several types, each with their own unique properties."

He began listing them off:

1. Earth Qi – Sturdy, defensive, powerful in endurance.

2. Fire Qi – Explosive, overwhelming, strong in direct attacks.

3. Water Qi – Fluid, adaptable, great for control and support techniques.

4. Wind Qi – Fast, unpredictable, deadly in speed-based combat.

5. Lightning Qi – Wild, destructive, incredibly hard to control.

6. Yin & Yang Qi – Opposites, but when balanced, they create some of the strongest dual-cultivation techniques.

Jinhai looked at Li Wei. "But yours… isn't on this list."

He gestured toward the shattered ground where the tree once stood. "Your power isn't just Qi. It's something higher."

Li Wei took a deep breath. He could feel it—his energy was denser, heavier, and more refined.

Jinhai's voice turned serious. "I've only ever read about it in ancient texts… but if my guess is right, your power doesn't come from this world."

Li Wei's blood ran cold.

Jinhai's eyes locked onto his.

"You're wielding Celestial Energy."

Li Wei's mind raced. Celestial Energy? What did that even mean?

Jinhai leaned back. "Unlike normal Qi, which is drawn from the world, Celestial Energy comes from beyond—the heavens themselves. It's said to be the energy used by immortals and divine beings."

He sighed. "The fact that you can use it at just Foundation Establishment is terrifying. Normally, someone wouldn't be able to even touch this kind of power until Nascent Soul or higher."

Li Wei clenched his fists. If that was true… then what did it mean for him?

Jinhai studied him for a moment before smirking. "Well, no use thinking too much about it now. All I know is—you're a walking disaster waiting to happen."

Li Wei let out a small laugh, shaking his head. "Great. That's exactly what I wanted to hear."

Jinhai stood up. "You need to learn how to control this power properly. If you don't… it might consume you instead."

Li Wei nodded. He could feel it too. The Celestial Seal's energy was incredible—but also dangerous.

One wrong step, and it could overwhelm him completely.

But deep down—he was excited.

For the first time, he wasn't just another weak cultivator.

He was something greater.

The golden energy within Li Wei had yet to settle.

His veins still pulsed with warmth, his meridians expanding to accommodate the Celestial Energy coursing through them.

It wasn't just power—it was a force beyond anything he had ever felt.

Jinhai watched him carefully, arms crossed. "That's enough for now, kid. If you push it too hard, you might just shatter your meridians."

Li Wei exhaled slowly, forcing his body to relax. But the feeling didn't leave him. It lingered, like a flame waiting to be fanned.

Jinhai sighed. "You're going to need proper training if you want to control that power. And I'm not just talking about cultivation. You need discipline. If you're reckless, this energy will consume you."

Li Wei nodded. "Then where do I start?"

Jinhai smirked. "With control."

He tossed a small stone into the air. "Try crushing this."

Li Wei raised a brow. "A stone? After what I just did?"

Jinhai's smirk widened. "Exactly. Destroying a tree is easy. But can you focus your energy enough to shatter something without obliterating everything around it?"

Li Wei narrowed his eyes. He lifted his hand, letting golden Qi gather at his fingertips. This time, he concentrated, trying to contain the raw force.

The stone hovered for a moment.

Then—

CRACK!

The stone exploded into fine dust—but so did the air around it. A golden shockwave blasted outward, sending leaves and dirt flying in every direction.

Jinhai clicked his tongue. "Too much force. Again."

As Li Wei continued his training, Jinhai decided it was time to explain the foundation of power in this world.

Jinhai tapped the ground. "Most people never make it past Core Formation. And those who do… they become legends."

Li Wei stared at the list. If Celestial Energy was already inside him, then what did that mean for his path?

Jinhai seemed to read his thoughts. "With that power of yours, you might not even follow these stages the normal way. You're something else entirely."

Li Wei clenched his fists. He had no intention of following a 'normal' path anyway.

He was going to carve his own.

Just as Li Wei was about to ask his next question, a sudden killing intent filled the air.

Jinhai's expression darkened. "We're being watched."

Li Wei turned his head sharply. In the distance, three figures in dark robes emerged from the forest, their Qi suppressing the air around them.

The leader, a man with crimson eyes and a jagged scar across his cheek, stepped forward. His aura was at least Core Formation.

"So this is the brat causing all the disturbance," the man sneered. "We felt that energy from miles away. Looks like we've stumbled upon something interesting."

Jinhai sighed, cracking his knuckles. "You picked the wrong day to start trouble."

The man smirked. "I don't think so. That power—" his eyes locked onto Li Wei "—doesn't belong to someone so weak."

Li Wei narrowed his eyes. His Celestial Energy stirred in response.

The scarred man's smirk widened.

"Why don't we take it from you?"

The tension in the air thickened as the scarred man took another step forward. His two companions flanked him, their Qi suppressing the very air itself.

Li Wei could feel their power pressing down on him, but unlike before, he wasn't afraid. The Celestial Energy inside him pulsed, responding to his emotions.

Jinhai cracked his knuckles, stepping forward with a smirk. "Well? Are we just going to stare at each other, or are you going to make your move?"

The scarred man's smirk twisted into something sinister. "Kill the old man. Capture the boy."

The moment the words left his lips, his two subordinates vanished.

They moved faster than Li Wei could track, appearing on either side of Jinhai in an instant. Two Core Formation experts.

BOOM!

The first strike landed like a thunderclap. Jinhai parried one of the attackers, his palm shattering the ground beneath them. The other launched a sharp kick toward his ribs, but Jinhai twisted his body, dodging with ease.

Jinhai wasn't just strong—he was overpowering.

But Li Wei had no time to admire.

The scarred man was already moving toward him.

"You, boy… you're mine."