Chapter 2: Whispers of the Azure Cloud
Li Wei's lungs burned as he sprinted through the tangled undergrowth of the Whispering Forest, the air thick with the hum of latent qi. Twisted vines snaked across his path like living traps, their thorns glistening with a venomous dew that promised agony. Behind him, the low growl of the Shadowfang Wolf echoed, its eyes twin embers in the dim light. The beast was a low-level spirit animal, its fur rippling with faint qi auras—perfect for the system's mission, if he could survive long enough to "defeat or tame" it.
[Host, darling, you're panting like a virgin on his wedding night. Dodge left—there's a qi-sucking mist ahead!] Elara's voice chimed in his mind, laced with a teasing lilt that somehow made the peril feel exhilarating. The holographic interface flickered at the edge of his vision, overlaying a mini-map of the forest with glowing markers: red for dangers, green for potential escapes.
He veered left just in time, leaping over a root that pulsed with eerie energy.
"Easy for you to say," he gasped internally. "You're not the one with legs turning to jelly. Body Tempering Stage 1 feels like running a marathon with weights strapped on."
[Giggle. Oh, but think of the rewards! That wolf's core could be your first tame. Or... crush it for qi essence. Either way, points await. And the bonus? Mmm, keep your eyes peeled for a pretty cultivator lost in these woods. Dual cultivation starts with a hello.]
Li Wei rolled his eyes, but a smirk tugged at his lips. Back on Earth, he'd been a loner; here, his AI companion was turning him into some kind of playboy protagonist. The thought fueled him as he skidded to a halt behind a massive ancient oak, its bark etched with faint formation runes—remnants of some long-forgotten array.
The wolf lunged, jaws snapping. Instinct kicked in, drawn from the original Li Wei's fragmented memories. He channeled his meager qi into his palm, forming a crude fist strike. Thud! His blow connected with the beast's flank, sending it yelping sideways. It wasn't elegant—no flying swords or alchemy flames—but it worked. The wolf circled, wary now, its qi flaring in challenge.
"Come on, pup," Li Wei muttered, his voice steadying. "Let's make this quick."
As if sensing his resolve, the beast charged again. This time, Li Wei dodged, grabbing a loose vine infused with natural qi. He whipped it like a lasso, wrapping it around the wolf's neck. The creature thrashed, but he poured his qi into the vine, binding it tighter. Not killing—taming. A spark of connection formed, the beast's wild energy submitting to his will. It went limp, eyes glazing with reluctant loyalty.
[Ding! Mission Objective: Defeat or Tame a Low-Level Spirit Beast—Complete! Bonus points for taming; that's rarer, Host. You're a natural charmer.] Elara's tone dripped with approval, almost affectionate.
Panting, Li Wei released the vine, and the wolf—now his reluctant companion—nuzzled his hand warily. "Good boy... or girl? Whatever." He patted its head, feeling a trickle of qi flow back into him, strengthening his meridians.
But the forest wasn't done. Rustling from the bushes ahead revealed not another beast, but a figure—a young woman in flowing azure robes, her hair tied in a cultivator's bun, a basket of herbs slung over her shoulder. She was stunning, with eyes like polished jade and a faint qi aura marking her as Qi Gathering Stage 3. An outer disciple, like him—or rather, like the old him.
"You... you're alive?" she stammered, her voice a mix of surprise and suspicion. "I saw you fall off the cliff yesterday. The sect thought you were dead."
Li Wei straightened, wiping sweat from his brow, his new wolf companion growling softly at his side. "Rumors of my demise were exaggerated," he quipped, channeling his Earth wit. She blinked, confused, but a faint smile cracked her stern facade. Accidental flirt? Check.
"I'm Mei Ling," she said, stepping closer, her gaze flicking to the tamed wolf with envy. "Outer disciple. You tamed a Shadowfang? Impressive for someone at Body Tempering. The sect's beast tamers would pay spirit stones for that trick."
Spirit stones? The term triggered more memories, and Elara helpfully expanded in his mind: [Low-grade spirit stones are the currency here, Host. Absorb them for qi boosts or trade for goods. Mid-grade are worth 100 low, high-grade 10,000 low, and top-grade? A fortune, 1,000,000 low. Rare ones like profound or immortal grades are sect treasures, packed with pure qi for breakthroughs.]
As they walked toward the forest's edge—her leading the way to safety—Li Wei probed subtly, his questions masked as amnesia from the "fall." Mei Ling, eager to chat with a "miracle survivor," spilled details about the Azure Cloud Sect, perched on the mist-shrouded peaks of Mount Azure, a mid-tier power in the Eastern Provinces.
"The sect's divided into ranks," she explained, her voice animated as they navigated a qi-infused stream. "Outer sect is for us grunts—Body Tempering to Qi Gathering. We live in the lower foothills, cramped dwellings like bamboo huts clustered around the Outer Pavilion. That's where we get basic manuals and pills. Ranks? From Novice to Elite Outer, based on contribution points from missions."
Li Wei nodded, absorbing it. The Outer Pavilion sounded like a bustling hub, with markets nearby selling low-grade herbs and weapons. "And inner sect?"
Her eyes lit up with aspiration. "Foundation Establishment and above. They dwell higher up, in qi-rich caves with personal formations for cultivation. Inner ranks: Junior Inner, Senior Inner, up to Core Candidate. They handle sect defenses, alchemy halls, and blacksmith forges."
"Core sect?" he pressed, the wolf trotting beside them, its presence drawing curious glances from distant patrols.
"The elite—Golden Core Realm masters. Luxurious palaces on the peak, with private gardens and spirit springs. Core Disciples, Core Elders... they oversee everything. Junior Elders manage daily affairs, like assigning missions or punishing rule-breakers. Elders enforce laws, teach advanced arts. Vice Sect Master handles alliances and wars—Nascent Soul early stage, they say. And the Sect Master? Peak Nascent Soul, a powerhouse who communes with heaven's will. Rumors whisper of a hidden ancestor in Soul Refinement, secluded in the Forbidden Peak, guarding ancient secrets. One wrong move, and he'd erase you from existence."
Li Wei whistled inwardly. This hierarchy was a pyramid of power, with spirit stones greasing the wheels—low-grades for daily trades in the market square at the sect's base, where vendors hawked everything from flying sword blueprints to alchemical ingredients. Mission Halls dotted each level: Outer for herb gathering and beast hunts, Inner for artifact retrievals, Core for sect-expanding conquests. Complete tasks, earn points, climb ranks.
As they emerged from the forest, the Azure Cloud Sect loomed—a majestic sprawl of pagodas and glowing arrays, qi mists swirling like living dragons. Mei Ling blushed as Li Wei thanked her with a wink—"Couldn't have done it without your guidance, beautiful." Accidental? Sure. But Elara purred: [Bonus: Flirtatious Encounter—Complete! Oh, Host, you're making me blush. Mission fully cleared ahead of time. Accidental genius? Or fate's hand?]
The interface dinged triumphantly:
[Mission: Survival Instincts—Complete! Rewards: 500 SP (+200 bonus for full objectives), Basic Cultivation Manual unlocked, +1 Stage in Body Tempering. Now at Stage 2—feel that surge? Shop's open; spend wisely.]
Qi flooded his body, muscles knitting stronger, senses sharpening. But as they approached the outer gates, a shadowy figure watched from afar—a cloaked elder with a sinister aura. Whispers of sect intrigue tickled Li Wei's ears: betrayals, hidden treasures, a looming tournament. Who was that watcher? And why did the wolf growl at unseen threats?
Elara's voice turned serious: [Host, something's off. That fall wasn't an accident. Dig deeper... but carefully. Your rise begins now.]