The sun was barely visible as it dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the village. Zhao Shang sat on a small wooden stool outside the modest home he now called his own, watching the villagers as they went about their evening routines. The past few days had been a whirlwind of new experiences and revelations, but through it all, Zhao had remained vigilant, observing and learning everything he could about this strange new world.
In the early days of his transmigration, Zhao had been plagued by uncertainty and fear. The thought of being trapped in a foreign world, with no way back, had weighed heavily on his mind. But now, with the Super Extraction System at his disposal, Zhao felt a renewed sense of purpose. He was no longer helpless; he had a means to grow stronger and carve out a place for himself in this world.
As he watched the villagers, Zhao's sharp eyes took in every detail. The way they moved, the way they spoke—every action was a clue, a piece of the puzzle that would help him understand the world of cultivation. This world was vastly different from the one he had known, but Zhao was nothing if not adaptable. He had always been quick to learn, and now, more than ever, that trait would serve him well.
In this world, cultivation was everything. Zhao had quickly come to realize that cultivation was the cornerstone of society, the path to power, status, and even immortality. Those who could cultivate were revered, respected, and feared. They were the warriors, the leaders, the elite. Those who could not cultivate, however, were often looked down upon, relegated to the margins of society. Zhao had experienced this disdain firsthand in the body he now inhabited. The original Zhao Shang had been unable to cultivate, a flaw that had earned him nothing but scorn and pity from the villagers.
But Zhao was no longer the weak, helpless boy they thought they knew. He had an advantage now—an advantage that no one else in this world possessed. The Super Extraction System was his key to unlocking the power he needed to survive and thrive. With it, he could overcome the limitations of his new body, harnessing the abilities of others to grow stronger, faster, and more powerful. The thought filled him with a sense of determination. He would no longer be the weakling that others pitied or scorned. He would rise above them all.
As the evening wore on, Zhao continued to observe the villagers. He listened carefully as they talked among themselves, discussing the day's events, their cultivation practices, and the challenges they faced. It was through these conversations that Zhao began to piece together the basics of cultivation in this world. He learned that cultivation was not merely a physical process but a spiritual one as well. It involved harnessing the energy of the world—spiritual energy, or qi—and using it to strengthen the body, mind, and soul.
Zhao watched as some of the villagers practiced their techniques in the fading light. Their movements were precise, controlled, and deliberate, each motion designed to channel the flow of qi through their bodies. It was clear that these people had been cultivating for years, perhaps even decades, to reach their current level of proficiency. Zhao felt a pang of frustration as he realized just how far behind he was. But he quickly pushed the thought aside. He had the Super Extraction System—something none of these villagers had. That alone gave him an edge, a way to accelerate his growth far beyond what was considered normal.
As night began to fall, Zhao retreated to his small room, the wooden walls enclosing him in a comforting cocoon of solitude. The room was sparsely furnished—a bed, a small table, and a chair—but it was enough for his needs. Zhao sat on the edge of the bed, deep in thought. He knew he couldn't afford to remain passive for long. If he wanted to survive in this world, he needed to grow stronger, and quickly. The villagers were already suspicious of him; he had noticed the way they looked at him, with a mix of curiosity and wariness. He couldn't afford to draw too much attention to himself, not until he was ready.
That evening, as Zhao sat in the quiet of his room, the system's voice echoed in his mind once more, breaking the silence.
[Host's physical and spiritual abilities have stabilized. System recommends further extractions to enhance capabilities.]
Zhao nodded to himself. The system was right—he needed to grow stronger. But he had to be smart about it. He couldn't risk extracting abilities from the villagers; it would only raise suspicion, and if anyone discovered his secret, he would be in serious danger. No, he needed to be discreet, to bide his time until he was ready to reveal his true strength.
He decided that for now, he would focus on extracting abilities from beasts. The forest surrounding the village was teeming with life—creatures of all shapes and sizes, each one a potential source of power. Unlike humans, these beasts wouldn't be missed, and their abilities, while not as potent as those of a trained cultivator, could still provide valuable enhancements to his physical and spiritual capabilities.
As the sun dipped below the horizon and darkness settled over the village, Zhao made his decision. He would venture into the forest tonight and seek out his next target. The thought filled him with a sense of excitement, a thrill that coursed through his veins. He was ready to take the next step on his path to power.
Zhao waited until the village was silent, the only sounds the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant calls of nocturnal animals. He moved carefully, slipping out of his room and into the cool night air. The village was bathed in the soft, pale light of the moon, casting long shadows across the ground. Zhao moved silently through the streets, his senses heightened by the system's earlier enhancements. He could feel the power within him, a subtle but distinct difference in the way his body moved, the way his muscles responded. It was as if he had become more attuned to his surroundings, more aware of the world around him.
It wasn't long before Zhao reached the edge of the village, where the houses gave way to the dense, shadowy expanse of the forest. The trees loomed overhead, their branches intertwining to form a thick canopy that blocked out much of the moonlight. The air was cool and crisp, carrying with it the earthy scent of damp leaves and moss. Zhao paused for a moment, taking in his surroundings. The forest was alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures—the hoot of an owl, the rustle of leaves as a small animal scurried through the underbrush, the distant howl of a wolf. This was a place of both beauty and danger, a place where only the strong survived.
Zhao ventured deeper into the forest, his steps light and deliberate. He moved with the confidence of someone who knew he was no longer defenseless. The Super Extraction System was his greatest weapon, and he intended to use it to its fullest potential.
After some time, Zhao came across a small clearing bathed in moonlight. He crouched low, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement. His patience was soon rewarded when he spotted a small pack of wild animals on the edge of the clearing. Their eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, reflecting the light of the moon. Zhao's heart quickened as he observed them from his hiding place. These creatures were larger than the one he had encountered before, more dangerous. But Zhao felt no fear—only anticipation.
He focused his attention on the largest of the group, a wolf-like beast with sleek fur and sharp fangs. The creature moved with a predatory grace, its muscles rippling beneath its coat as it prowled the edge of the clearing. This was the one Zhao would target.
[Target detected. Commencing extraction.]
The system's voice echoed in his mind, and Zhao felt the familiar sensation as the process began. A faint light enveloped the wolf-like beast, shimmering like a ghostly aura. Zhao watched, transfixed, as the light grew brighter, wrapping around the creature like a cocoon. At the same time, he felt a surge of energy within his own body, a powerful force that seemed to course through his veins, filling him with strength.
The extraction process was both exhilarating and strange, a sensation unlike anything Zhao had ever experienced. It was as if he could feel the very essence of the creature being drawn out, absorbed into his own being. After a few moments, the light began to fade, and the wolf-like beast collapsed to the ground, unconscious but unharmed.
[Extraction complete. Minor strength and agility enhancements acquired.]
Zhao flexed his hands, marveling at the newfound power he felt coursing through his body. He could feel the difference immediately—his muscles were stronger, his reflexes quicker. It was as if he had been reborn, his body now capable of feats that had been impossible only moments before.
A grin spread across Zhao's face as he took in the results of the extraction. He was getting stronger—slowly but surely. And with each successful extraction, he was one step closer to his goal. The Super Extraction System was working just as he had hoped, and now, the possibilities seemed endless.
As Zhao made his way back to the village, his mind buzzed with plans for the future. The world of cultivation was vast and dangerous, filled with powerful beings and treacherous challenges. But Zhao was determined to carve out his place in it. He would continue to grow stronger, continue to hone his abilities until he was a force to be reckoned with.
The villagers had no idea what he was capable of—what he would become. But soon, they would see. Zhao Shang was no longer the weak, helpless boy they had once known. He was a cultivator now, and he was ready to rise above them all.
The night air was cool against his skin as Zhao slipped back into the village, moving silently through the darkened streets. He felt a sense of exhilaration, a thrill that came from knowing he was on the path to greatness. The challenges ahead would be many, but Zhao was ready to face them head-on.
This was just the beginning of Zhao Shang's journey. There would be more battles, more obstacles, and more opportunities to grow. But one thing was certain—Zhao Shang would not stop until he had reached the peak of this world, no matter what it took. The future was his for the taking, and he was ready to seize it with both hands.
Zhao entered his room and closed the door behind him, the faint light of dawn just beginning to creep over the horizon. He was tired, but it was a good kind of tired, the kind that came from knowing he had taken a step closer to his goal. Zhao lay down on his bed, his mind already planning his next move.
No matter what challenges lay ahead, Zhao Shang would rise above them all. This was only the beginning, and Zhao knew that his journey was far from over. With the Super Extraction System at his side, he was ready to face whatever the future held.