The mess hall incident replayed in Jiang Chen's mind as he trudged back to his cramped room. Young Master Li's face, a mix of anger and bewilderment, was a vivid image. The slap had stung, but the defiant stand, the lack of begging, that was the true victory.
[Host, a strategic victory indeed. Psychological warfare is often more potent than physical confrontation, especially when your physical attributes are still reminiscent of a startled rabbit.] The System's voice was light, almost cheerful.
"Very funny," Jiang Chen muttered, rubbing his still-tender cheek. "But being a 'startled rabbit' isn't going to get me out of this. I need to get strong. Fast."
The memory of the Spirit Qi flowing, the subtle warmth, was tantalizing. It was real. It was power.
Back in his tiny room, the darkness offered a semblance of peace. He sat cross-legged on his straw mat, just as the Basic Cultivation Manual had instructed. He closed his eyes, forcing away the gnawing hunger and the day's indignities.
He focused, drawing upon the technique again. He imagined the vast, invisible Spirit Qi of the world, like a gentle mist, being drawn into his nostrils with each breath, down through his throat, and gathering in his dantian. It was slow, agonizingly slow, but with each successful breath, a tiny spark of warmth solidified.
He circulated it, guided it along the pathways detailed in his mind. It was like tracing a map he instinctively knew. The Qi moved, sluggishly at first, then with a bit more purpose, scrubbing through his meridians, strengthening them.
Hours melted away. The moon climbed high, casting faint silver through the grimy window. He lost himself in the rhythm, the pull, the subtle flow. Sweat beaded on his brow, not from effort, but from the intense mental focus.
Pop!
Another internal crack, more pronounced this time. A rush of warmth, deeper and more expansive, flooded his body. His muscles twitched, then relaxed, feeling lighter, more vibrant.
[Congratulations, Host! You have broken through to Body Tempering Stage 3! Progress rate remains exceptional. Reward: 15 System Points and Body Tempering Pill (Low Grade).]
Jiang Chen opened his eyes, a faint tremor running through him. Stage 3! In just a few hours after dinner? This was incredible. The previous occupant of this body, Li Ming, might have toiled for months, perhaps years, to reach such a level. His Divine Comprehension talent was truly a cheat.
He instantly felt the physical changes. His sight was sharper in the dim light. He could hear the faint scuttling of a rat far down the hall, a sound he wouldn't have noticed before. He clenched his fist; a subtle power hummed beneath his skin.
"A Body Tempering Pill?" he asked, excitement rising.
[Indeed. A small, convenient boost for the budding cultivator. Consume it to significantly accelerate your current stage's refinement. Think of it as premium fuel for your nascent engine.]
A small, wooden vial materialized in his hand, containing a single, unassuming brown pill. He hesitated for a second, then swallowed it. It tasted earthy, but as it went down, a profound warmth spread through his entire body. It wasn't the subtle flow of Spirit Qi anymore; it was like a small furnace had ignited within him, rapidly refining his flesh and bones.
He could feel his meridians expanding, becoming more robust. His bones hummed, his muscles tightened, growing denser. It was a rapid, intense transformation that lasted only a few minutes.
When the warmth subsided, Jiang Chen felt like a new person. He flexed his arms, feeling a newfound solidity. He bounced lightly on the balls of his feet; his movements were noticeably springier.
[Analysis complete. The Body Tempering Pill (Low Grade) has maximized the refinement of Body Tempering Stage 3 and pushed you directly to the cusp of Stage 4. Estimated progress to Body Tempering Stage 4: less than 2 hours of focused cultivation. Impressive.]
Jiang Chen grinned. "Now that's a boost!" He glanced at his System Points: 75 + 15 = 90. He was getting closer to that Divine Fortune Wheel spin.
But first, more cultivation. He couldn't waste a moment. He resumed his cross-legged position, his determination solidified. He cultivated through the night, pushing his new body, feeling the Spirit Qi flow, a powerful river within him.
By dawn, just as the first rays of light began to pierce the window, another profound POP! echoed within him. A powerful surge of energy coursed through his body, making every cell hum with newfound vitality.
[Congratulations, Host! You have successfully broken through to Body Tempering Stage 4! Your diligence is... admirable. Rewards: 20 System Points and Basic Strength Enhancement Pill.]
Jiang Chen let out a long breath, a triumphant smile on his face. He'd done it. In less than a day, he had gone from a barely-there Stage 1 to Stage 4. He was no longer a trembling rabbit. He was becoming a young tiger, slowly but surely.
The Basic Strength Enhancement Pill was another welcome sight. He knew what it meant: more physical power. He swallowed it, feeling another surge of pure, raw strength coursing through him. His muscles bulged subtly, his grip felt like iron.
He stood up, stretching his limbs. He moved with a newfound grace and power. A quick check of his system status:
[Strength: 4.0
Agility: 3.8
Endurance: 3.5
Vitality: 3.2]
A drastic improvement. He could probably take on Guo now, maybe even put up a decent fight against one of Young Master Li's other cronies. But Young Master Li himself? Still too strong. Not yet.
He needed more Qi, more breakthroughs. He needed a plan. The sect would assign daily tasks soon. He would complete them, earn System Points, and cultivate in every spare moment. He was Jiang Chen, reborn in a cultivation world, and he would not be a servant forever. The path to godhood, even starting from the dust, was now firmly under his feet.