The next morning.
Shěn Nìchén sat alone on the outer disciple platform, gazing at the cracked spiritual tablet in his palm.
His body was still weak—his Meridian Veins were in disarray, his Dantian sealed like a dried-up lakebed. No Qi flowed. No pulse of power stirred. Just like the former owner of this body… worthless.
But inside his mind, the screen floated silently—shimmering with golden light.
---
> [Origin Path System – Active]
✅ Mission 1: Survive for 24 hours — COMPLETED
🎁 Reward Claimed: Talent Copy Token (1x)
Mission 2: Win a battle within 3 days
🎯 Reward: Realm Jump Option (1 Small Realm)
---
"Talent Copy…" Nìchén muttered. "Can I really do that?"
As if answering, a new line appeared.
> 🔍 Talent Mirror: Active for 10 seconds per use
☯️ Scan any cultivator within 10 meters
⚠️ Note: First talent copied will be permanent.
---
Suddenly—
> "Oi, cripple!"
A group of outer disciples approached. Leading them was Wei Fan, a cruel thug from a small noble family. He always tormented low-ranking disciples to feel strong.
> "Still breathing? Guess your cockroach life is stubborn."
The other disciples laughed.
Wei Fan stepped closer. "Let's give our trash brother some entertainment. One spar. Just one. You win, we'll leave you alone forever."
Shěn Nìchén's eyes narrowed.
He didn't move.
He scanned.
> 🔍 [Scanning Cultivator: Wei Fan…]
🧬 Talent: Steel Bone Meridians (Low Grade)
➕ Slightly higher physical resilience
⚠️ 7 seconds remaining…
> 🔁 Copy?
He clenched his fist.
"Copy."
> ✅ Talent Copied: Steel Bone Meridians (Low Grade)
🎯 Permanent Integration Underway…
⏳ Estimated Completion: 3 minutes
But Wei Fan didn't wait.
---
"Take this!" He lunged forward with a punch.
Nìchén barely sidestepped. His body screamed in pain—his cultivation base was zero—but his mind was razor-sharp.
"Three minutes," he thought. "Just stall…"
He dodged again.
And again.
---
The crowd laughed.
> "Look at him run!"
"He's like a scared dog!"
Wei Fan growled. "Stand still, coward!"
He charged once more—this time swinging a low kick.
But Nìchén slid under it and slammed his elbow into Wei Fan's ribs. A clean hit.
The bully staggered.
> ⚙️ [Integration Complete.]
💪 Steel Bone Meridians – 5% boost to resilience
🎉 Hidden Bonus Unlocked: +0.1% Qi Conductivity
Nìchén grinned.
"My turn."
---
Wei Fan attacked again.
This time, Nìchén didn't dodge.
He took the hit—felt the impact rattle his bones—but didn't fall.
Then he punched straight into Wei Fan's gut.
> "URGHHH!" Wei Fan crumpled to the floor, gasping.
Silence.
Everyone stared.
> "H-He… won?"
---
> ✅ Mission 2: Completed
🎁 Reward: Realm Jump Option acquired
🔓 New System Menu Unlocked: Cultivation Shortcut Protocol
---
Nìchén looked down at his trembling fist.
"Even a low-grade talent… lets me rise above trash."
He turned away.
> "Mock me again… and I'll copy your soul next."
---
Back in his cave-dwelling, the system glowed again.
> 🧭 New Option: Use Realm Jump?
🎯 Boost from Qi Gathering Stage 0 → Stage 1
🕒 Cost: 12 hours of passive absorption skipped
He didn't hesitate.
> ✅ YES.
Spiritual energy flooded his meridians. For the first time, he felt it.
> 💥 Qi Gathering Stage 1 – Achieved.
A voice echoed in his soul:
> "This world has rules. I just found the back door."
---
📜 TO BE CONTINUED...
Next Chapter: "Elira of the Moonblood Mist" – The fated meeting"