The shadow loomed over the Lin Clan training ground like a living nightmare, its red eyes glowing ominously in the morning light. Floating platforms swayed, dust and debris cascading down as cultivators scattered in panic. Li Xian's chest heaved, and his hands glowed faintly with the blue light of the Qi Seed.
System Notification: Emergency Combat Mission Active. Objective: Survive, Protect Companions, and Demonstrate Combat Growth. Reward: Gold, Treasure, Cultivation Breakthrough, Companion Affection Points. Risk Level: Extreme.
Li Yuxin stood beside him, crimson robes flaring, golden Qi swirling around her like fire. Mei Lian joined shortly after, jade eyes narrowed, her stance precise, ready to strike.
"Stay close, Li Xian," Li Yuxin commanded, voice calm yet urgent. "This creature is stronger than anything you've faced before. Follow my lead and survive. Understood?"
Li Xian swallowed hard. "Yes… I won't fail."
The shadow growled, claws raking the ground, creating jagged furrows that sent debris flying. Li Xian felt the air shimmer with oppressive Qi; every breath was a struggle. The System pulsed in his mind, guiding him:
Decision Point: Combat Strategy
Aggressive Assault – High Risk, Potential High Reward
Defensive Maneuvers + Qi Barrier – Moderate Risk, Focus on Survival
Observe Companions + System Guidance – Moderate Risk, High Companion Affection and Skill Growth
Li Xian clenched his fists. He trusted Li Yuxin and Mei Lian. He chose the third option.
The battle began. Li Yuxin dashed forward, blade arcing through the air, slashing with precision. The shadow roared and swung its massive claw. Li Xian dove behind a broken pillar, blue Qi barrier flaring as sparks flew from the impact.
System Tip: Use Companion Techniques Observed in Previous Training. Skill Efficiency Boosted.
Li Xian mimicked Li Yuxin's movements, carefully measuring timing and distance. He thrust his palm forward, releasing a controlled Qi shockwave that grazed the shadow's flank. The creature snarled, staggering slightly—proof that his attacks had impact.
Mei Lian joined in, her movements fluid, her jade Qi slicing through the air in arcs that forced the shadow to redirect its attention. Li Xian seized the opening, launching another shockwave, this time with precise timing.
System Notification: Skill Mastery Progress: Qi Shockwave +10%. Mission Progress +20%. Companion Affection +10.
The shadow swiped again, faster, stronger. Li Xian stumbled, nearly losing balance, but the System's guidance pulsed in his mind:
Emergency Skill Activated: Advanced Qi Manipulation – Allows multiple shockwave bursts with minimal energy expenditure. Recommended Use: High-Level Threats.
Blue light enveloped Li Xian's fists as he unleashed a flurry of shockwaves in perfect sequence. The shadow staggered under the combined force, roaring in frustration.
System Notification: Mission Progress +40%. Recognition: Moderate. Reward: 150 Gold, Minor Treasure Chest.
Li Xian's chest burned, but exhilaration surged through him. He could do this. He could survive.
The shadow's red eyes focused entirely on him. Its claws slashed down, and Li Xian barely reacted in time, the Qi barrier taking the brunt of the attack. Sparks exploded, sending him skidding backward across the platform.
System Tip: Use Environmental Advantage – Nearby Platforms and Trees to Avoid Direct Attacks.
He leaped onto a nearby platform, adrenaline surging. Li Yuxin and Mei Lian were already repositioning, creating a pincer movement. "Now, Li Xian!" Li Yuxin shouted.
He nodded, and with the System guiding his every move, he combined the Qi shockwave with a small leap, striking the shadow from an unexpected angle. The impact sent the creature sprawling, its roar echoing across the training ground.
System Notification: Companion Affection +15. Skill Growth +15. Recognition Increased: Significant.
Li Xian felt a surge of power unlike anything before. His vision blurred slightly as energy coursed through him, hot and alive.
System Alert: Cultivation Breakthrough Opportunity Detected. Risk Level: High. Recommended Action: Focus Qi and Synchronize with System.
Li Xian clenched the Qi Seed, closing his eyes. He felt the energy within him expand, threading through his veins, filling every muscle, every fiber of his being. Blue light enveloped him, the air vibrating as if the world itself recognized his awakening.
He could hear Li Yuxin's calm voice in his mind, guiding, steadying him. Focus, control, release…
With a roar, Li Xian released the energy. A massive shockwave of blue Qi erupted, colliding with the shadow in a dazzling explosion of light and power. The creature howled, staggering back, then slowly retreated into the forest, leaving a faint trail of black Qi behind.
System Notification: High-Level Threat Neutralized. Cultivation Breakthrough Achieved: Qi Level 1. Reward: Gold, Treasure, Companion Affection Points. Mission Progress +100%.
Li Xian collapsed to his knees, chest heaving, sweat and Qi mingling on his skin. He had survived. He had awakened. He had leveled up in the world that had once crushed him.
Li Yuxin approached, her expression softer than ever. "You did well. More than well… you've awakened power most scrawny Yun Clan kids can only dream of."
Li Xian looked up, breathless, heart pounding—not from exhaustion, but from her proximity. "I… I couldn't have done it without you," he admitted.
Her smirk returned, playful yet warm. "Don't get cocky. You have potential, yes… but this is only the beginning. If you want to survive here, you'll need more than just raw power."
System Notification: Companion Affection +20. R18 Interaction Potential Increased.
Before Li Xian could respond, Mei Lian stepped closer, jade eyes shining. "You've improved significantly. You're… interesting," she said softly.
Li Xian's heart skipped. Interesting? Two companions, both showing attention… his chest warmed. The System pulsed:
Companion Affection Bonus Applied: Li Yuxin +20, Mei Lian +15. Potential Harem Formation Initialized.
System Notification: New Mission Unlocked – Establish Status and Wealth in Lin Clan. Rewards: Gold, Treasure, Potential Additional Companions.
Li Xian's gaze swept over the Lin Clan training ground, now quiet except for the murmurs of onlookers. Recognition had been earned. Companions had been impressed. Power had awakened.
System Tip: Utilize Recognition to Access Resources, Training Grounds, and Potential Wealth Opportunities.
He rose to his feet, chest swelling with newfound determination. "I… I will become strong," he whispered. "Not just for survival… but for wealth, status, and… for them."
Li Yuxin tilted her head, her golden eyes glittering. "For me?" she asked, voice teasing yet sincere.
Li Xian's ears burned. "For you… and Mei Lian. And anyone else who becomes part of my… my journey."
System Notification: Harem Potential Growth +5. Affection Points Applied.
The sun climbed higher, bathing the floating platforms in gold. Li Xian felt alive in a way he had never imagined. His body ached from the morning's battles, yet his mind was sharp, his spirit aflame.
System Notification: Mission Complete: High-Level Threat Survived, Cultivation Breakthrough Achieved. New Mission: Lin Clan Status and Wealth Acquisition. Rewards: Gold, Treasure, Companion Affection Points, Skill Training Opportunities.
But even as he stood, victorious, the lingering shadows in the forest reminded him: stronger threats awaited, wealth and recognition were just beginning, and his path from poor scrawny outcast to powerful cultivator and harem leader was only starting to unfold.
Li Xian clenched his fists. The blue Qi Seed pulsed in response, alive with his determination.
I will rise. I will survive. I will take everything this world has to offer…
And somewhere, deep in the shadowed forest, eyes glimmered. Red, calculating, patient. Watching. Waiting.
This was only the beginning…