Capítulo 3: Chapter 3: The First Seclusion
After his intense and life-altering experience in the cave, Feng Chen ventured out to explore his surroundings. The landscape was breathtaking... lush greenery, towering trees, and the occasional burst of color from wildflowers. As he wandered deeper into the forest, he stumbled upon a small, crystal-clear stream gently winding its way through the trees.
The cool, inviting water beckoned to him. Stripping off his clothes, Feng Chen stepped into the stream, shivering slightly as the cold water enveloped him. As he began to wash away the grime from his ordeal, he caught sight of his reflection in the water. What he saw stopped him cold.
His body had undergone a remarkable transformation. The frail, weak boy who had been cast out by his clan was gone, replaced by someone with defined muscles, lean but powerful. His skin had a healthy glow, and his entire frame exuded strength and vitality... attributes he'd never possessed before.
"Damn," Feng Chen muttered to himself, flexing his arm and watching the muscles ripple beneath his skin.
"Whatever that elixir did, it sure worked wonders. I look like I've been training for years."
He finished washing up and stepped out of the stream, letting the sun warm his skin as he marveled at the changes. The journey from being a hopeless outcast to someone with real potential still felt surreal, but the evidence was right there in front of him. He was no longer the Feng Chen who had been looked down upon by everyone.
As he made his way back to the small cottage he had built earlier, the events of the past few days played through his mind... his exile, the mysterious system, the pain of unblocking his meridians, and now, this newfound strength. Everything was changing, and for the first time in his life, it felt like it was changing for the better.
Once inside the cottage, Feng Chen sat down on the mat he had fashioned from leaves, allowing himself a moment of quiet reflection. But before he could delve too deeply into his thoughts, a familiar blue screen materialized before his eyes.
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System Notification:-
New Feature Unlocked!
The Seclusion Reward System is now active.
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Feng Chen leaned forward, intrigued. "Seclusion Reward System? What's this all about?"
The screen shifted, providing more details.
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Seclusion Reward System:-
This feature allows the host to receive rewards based on the amount of time spent in seclusion while cultivating. The longer the host remains in seclusion, the greater and more valuable the rewards will become. In addition to time-based rewards, the host will also receive rewards for each minor and major realm breakthrough achieved during seclusion.
Examples of Rewards:-
- Rare cultivation techniques
- Precious resources and elixirs
- Powerful weapons and artifacts
- Special abilities or enhancements
Note: Rewards scale with time and breakthrough significance. The host is encouraged to maximize time spent in seclusion to attain the highest possible rewards.
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Feng Chen's heart leaped at the possibilities.
"So, the more I train in seclusion, the better the rewards? And I get bonuses for breaking through realms? This system just keeps getting better!"
He couldn't help but smile. It was as if the system was designed specifically to help him rise from nothing to something great. And he wasn't about to waste this opportunity. His thoughts were interrupted by yet another notification.
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System Notification:-
Bonus Unlocked!
Qi Gathering Array (7 days)
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Feng Chen grinned as he read the details.
"A Qi Gathering Array? That sounds like exactly what I need."
But before he could dive into that, another notification popped up.
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New Mission:-
Spend 7 days cultivating in seclusion.
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"Seven days, huh? Looks like it's time to get serious," Feng Chen said to himself, his determination solidifying.
"I've got the system backing me up, and now I've got a mission. Let's see how far I can go."
He remembered the time he had spent building his cottage, how the work had felt surprisingly easy, even after everything he had been through. He knew now that this new strength wasn't just physical... it was the beginning of something much greater.
But seven days in seclusion meant he needed enough supplies to last the week. With renewed energy, Feng Chen ventured out of his little haven to gather food. He spent some time hunting and foraging, filling his small cottage with fruits, nuts, and enough fish to last the duration of his seclusion.
Once everything was set, Feng Chen headed back into the cave where he had first discovered the system. It was secluded, quiet, and the perfect place to lock himself away from the world. As he entered the cave, he paused and called out to the system.
"System, show me my inventory."
A screen appeared, displaying a list of items. Among them was the Qi Gathering Array. Feng Chen selected it, and a new description appeared, explaining its details.
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Qi Gathering Array (7 days):-
A temporary array that enhances the concentration of qi within a specific area, allowing for accelerated cultivation. The array will remain active for seven days, during which time the host's cultivation speed will be significantly increased. Note: The array is time-limited and will dissipate after the seven-day period.
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Feng Chen nodded, already excited to see what the array could do. "Alright, let's set this thing up."
Following the instructions provided by the system, Feng Chen carefully placed the array stones in a circular formation around the area where he intended to cultivate. As soon as the last stone was in place, the array activated with a faint hum, and Feng Chen felt the air around him thicken with qi. It was as if the very essence of the world was being drawn into the cave, converging around him.
He sat down in the center of the array, closed his eyes, and began to focus. The qi surged around him, and he could feel it entering his body, filling him with a warmth that spread from his core to his extremities. The energy was intoxicating, and Feng Chen couldn't help but smile.
"This… this is incredible," he whispered to himself as he began to guide the qi through his newly unblocked meridians.
"I can feel it… I can actually feel it flowing."
As the hours passed, Feng Chen became completely absorbed in his cultivation. The system was right... the array made a world of difference. The qi flowed into him like a river, and for the first time, he could sense the true power that lay within his reach.
Days passed in a blur. Feng Chen was so focused on his cultivation that he lost track of time. The cave became his world, the steady rhythm of his breathing and the hum of the array the only sounds he knew. And as he continued to cultivate, something incredible began to happen.
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System Notification:-
Minor Realm Breakthrough Achieved!
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Every time he broke through a minor realm, Feng Chen felt a surge of power, his body humming with new strength. His muscles tightened, his senses sharpened, and his control over qi became more refined. The system was relentless, constantly updating him on his progress.
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Minor Realm Breakthrough Achieved!
Bonus Reward Unlocked: Elixir of Meridian Enhancement!
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Minor Realm Breakthrough Achieved!
Bonus Reward Unlocked: Basic Qi Manipulation Technique!
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Each time he broke through, Feng Chen found himself rewarded with items or techniques that would aid him on his journey. The Elixir of Meridian Enhancement strengthened his qi vessels, allowing him to absorb even more energy.
The Basic Qi Manipulation Technique provided him with the foundational skills to control and direct the flow of qi within his body, giving him greater precision and power in his cultivation.
But it was on the seventh day that something truly extraordinary happened.
As Feng Chen sat in the center of the array, his breathing steady and his mind clear, he felt a powerful surge of qi, more intense than anything he had experienced before. It filled his body, pushing against the limits of his meridians, and then, with a final burst, his qi vessels opened up completely.
The qi flowed through him like a torrent, and Feng Chen felt an overwhelming sense of power. He had done it... he had broken through to the Qi Condensation Realm.
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System Notification:-
Major Realm Breakthrough Achieved!
Congratulations! You have successfully advanced to the Qi Condensation Realm.
Bonus Rewards Unlocked:-
- Intermediate Qi Manipulation Technique: A more advanced technique for controlling qi with greater precision and efficiency.
- Spirit-Refining Pill: A powerful elixir that enhances spiritual awareness and aids in the development of the mind.
- Heavenly Thunder Palm (Low-Grade Martial Skill): A martial skill that channels qi into the palm, unleashing a powerful thunderstrike capable of devastating enemies.
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Feng Chen opened his eyes, his body thrumming with energy. He looked down at his hands, feeling the power coursing through his veins, and couldn't help but laugh.
"I did it," he whispered, still hardly able to believe it.
"I actually did it."
The rewards were more than he could have hoped for. The Intermediate Qi Manipulation Technique would allow him to refine his control over qi, making his cultivation even more efficient. The Spirit-Refining Pill promised to enhance his mental strength and awareness, vital for any cultivator seeking to advance further. But it was the Heavenly Thunder Palm that truly astonished him... a martial skill of considerable power, something that could turn the tide in battle.
Feng Chen had read about martial skills like this in his previous life, in the mangas and novels he devoured. To think that he, a once-weak and powerless boy, now had access to such a technique was nothing short of miraculous.
He brought up the system screen again and focused on the Heavenly Thunder Palm.
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Heavenly Thunder Palm (Low-Grade Martial Skill):
This martial skill channels qi into the palm, allowing the user to unleash a devastating strike infused with the power of thunder. The skill can be enhanced as the user's qi control improves, increasing its power and range. Mastery of this skill can turn the user into a formidable opponent, capable of overwhelming foes with raw, elemental force.
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Feng Chen couldn't help but grin.
"Thunder in the palm of my hand, huh? Now, that's what I'm talking about."
He could hardly wait to start practicing, but he knew better than to rush things. Cultivating qi and mastering martial skills required patience, discipline, and time... things he was finally beginning to understand.
Taking a deep breath, Feng Chen focused on the Intermediate Qi Manipulation Technique. The knowledge flowed into him as if the system were directly downloading it into his mind. He felt his understanding of qi deepen, becoming more nuanced, more precise.
He could sense the minute currents of energy within him, the subtle ebbs and flows that he had been unaware of before. With this technique, he could guide those currents with far greater control, making his cultivation far more effective.
As he finished absorbing the new knowledge, Feng Chen turned his attention to the Spirit-Refining Pill. The description made it clear that this was not an ordinary elixir... it was something that could elevate his spiritual awareness to a new level.
"Alright, let's see what this does," he said, swallowing the pill in one swift motion.
The effect was immediate. A cool, calming sensation spread through his mind, as if a fog had been lifted. His thoughts became sharper, more focused, and his senses heightened. He could feel the energy around him with an almost tactile clarity, and his connection to the qi in the cave deepened.
"This is amazing," Feng Chen murmured, sitting down to meditate and let the pill's effects fully integrate. As he did, the cave around him seemed to come alive with energy. He could sense the flow of qi with an intensity he had never experienced before, and he knew that this was only the beginning.
Over the next few hours, Feng Chen practiced the Heavenly Thunder Palm, cautiously at first, then with increasing confidence as he began to understand the technique's nuances. Each strike sent a jolt of energy through his body, the power of thunder crackling in his palm. It wasn't long before he was able to unleash small bursts of lightning with each strike, the air around him humming with energy.
By the time he finished, Feng Chen was exhausted but exhilarated. He looked down at his hands, still tingling from the energy, and felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He was no longer the boy who had been exiled from the Feng Clan. He was something else now... something stronger, something more.
As the first light of dawn began to filter into the cave, Feng Chen leaned back against the stone wall and closed his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips.
"I'm just getting started," he whispered to himself, feeling the weight of the rewards he had earned.
"The Feng Clan might have cast me out, but they have no idea what I'm becoming."
The system notifications had quieted down, but the sense of accomplishment and the promise of even greater power lingered in the air around him. Feng Chen knew he had a long way to go, but for the first time, the path ahead didn't seem so daunting. He had the system, he had his newfound strength, and he had the determination to push forward.
But Feng Chen wasn't one to rest on his laurels for long. After a brief rest, he began to plan his next steps. The rewards he had received were incredible, but they also represented new challenges. Mastering the Heavenly Thunder Palm would take time, as would refining his control over qi with the Intermediate Qi Manipulation Technique. He needed to hone his skills, strengthen his body further, and prepare for the challenges that lay ahead.
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