By IMERPUS RELUR
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The second spirit stone pulsed faintly in his palm.
Liang Chen sat at the base of a shattered pillar, the corpse chamber still heavy with dust and silence. He closed his eyes and steadied his breath.
> "Again."
His qi responded faster this time—familiar, yet still shallow. His root was open now, and it tugged at the ambient fire qi, pulling it inward.
He crushed the stone.
> [1x Low-Grade Spirit Stone consumed.]
[Qi circulation enhanced.]
The warmth surged again. Not violent like the first time—this time it filled him steadily, like embers gathering under his skin. He breathed in rhythm with the Enduring Flame Meditation, directing the qi through his newly awakened meridians.
> One loop.
Two.
Ten.
His muscles ached. His chest tightened. The qi wasn't flowing fast enough.
> "Come on…"
The system reacted.
> [Detected obstruction: Meridians under strain.]
[Temporarily redirecting qi flow to secondary channels…]
The warmth surged to his lower dantian, then split, spiraling into his limbs before returning to his core.
> A snap echoed inside him—silent, internal.
He gasped. Then—
> [Realm Upgraded: Early Stage Qi Refining – Second Level]
A small flame lit behind his ribs. Not visible, not real—but he felt it burning in his chest.
Liang Chen exhaled.
Stronger now.
Still weak—but walking.