Jian Li drifted off, the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves of the Spiritwood trees painting shifting patterns on his eyelids. He hadn't intended to fall asleep, merely to rest and absorb the ambient spiritual energy. But the gentle breeze and the soothing sounds of nature had lulled him into a peaceful slumber.
Suddenly, a jolt, like a bucket of ice water thrown over his soul, ripped him awake. Not awake, exactly. He was still lying beneath the tree, still breathing evenly, but his consciousness was… elsewhere. It was as if he were standing just behind his own eyes, observing his body from a detached perspective.
`[System Notification: Qi Condensation Stage Achieved!]`
A wave of information flooded his mind, a torrent of diagrams and explanations far exceeding anything he had learned in the outer sect. He saw, with impossible clarity, the network of meridians crisscrossing his body, tiny rivers of energy flowing through them. He could feel the spiritual energy in the air around him, not as a vague sense of well-being, but as a tangible force, eager to be drawn in and refined.
The System's explanations were precise and comprehensive. It described how he was passively drawing in the ambient spiritual energy, how it was being filtered and purified by his dormant dantian, and how it was then being circulated through his meridians, strengthening them and solidifying his foundation.
`[Spiritual Energy Absorption Rate Increased]`
`[Meridian Capacity Increased]`
`[Dantian Stabilization Initiated]`
He watched, mesmerized, as the process unfolded. It was like watching a miniature version of the universe being created within his own body. He could see the imperfections, the blockages in his meridians, and the System provided him with methods to correct them, subtle adjustments to breathing and posture that would optimize the flow of energy.
He focused his will, following the System's instructions. He visualized the flow of energy, guiding it through the pathways, smoothing out the rough edges, and clearing away the debris. It was a delicate process, requiring intense concentration. He could feel the strain on his mind, but the System provided constant feedback, alerting him to any errors and suggesting corrections.
Meanwhile, back in the 'real' world, Mei Lin was practicing her sword forms nearby. She had chosen this secluded spot in the Spiritwood specifically to avoid distractions and to immerse herself in the rich spiritual energy. She was determined to master the Azure Sky Sword Art before the next assessment.
She paused, wiping sweat from her brow. She glanced around, her eyes scanning the grove. Her gaze landed on Jian Li, sprawled beneath a tree, apparently asleep. A sneer curled her lip. Lazy good-for-nothing. While she was diligently honing her skills, he was wasting precious time napping. It was infuriating.
She was about to resume her practice when she noticed something strange. A faint shimmer seemed to surround Jian Li, a subtle distortion of the air around him. The spiritual energy in the immediate vicinity seemed to be… converging on him.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. This was impossible. He was asleep! How could he be absorbing spiritual energy at such a rate while unconscious? She had never seen anything like it. Even the most talented disciples in the inner sect couldn't achieve such a feat.
She crept closer, her curiosity outweighing her disdain. The shimmer around Jian Li intensified, and she could feel the spiritual energy tugging at her own body, trying to flow towards him. It was an almost irresistible force.
Jealousy gnawed at her. It wasn't fair. She had been working tirelessly for months, pushing herself to the limit, and this… this slacker was achieving breakthroughs while sleeping? It was an insult to her hard work and dedication.
Suddenly, Jian Li's body jerked slightly. The shimmer around him flared brightly, then subsided. He remained asleep, but something had changed. There was a new aura about him, a sense of quiet power that hadn't been there before.
Mei Lin recoiled, her heart pounding in her chest. What had just happened? Had he broken through? Reached a new level of cultivation? It seemed impossible, yet the evidence was undeniable.
She bit her lip, her mind racing. She had to tell someone. But who would believe her? They would think she was exaggerating, trying to gain attention. And what if Jian Li was actually a hidden genius, secretly cultivating some forbidden technique? If she reported him, she might be punished for interfering.
She decided to keep it to herself for now. She would observe him more closely, gather more evidence. If he was indeed up to something suspicious, she would expose him. But if he was simply lucky, well… she would just have to work even harder to surpass him.
Inside his mind, Jian Li was slowly regaining awareness. The flood of information from the System was receding, leaving behind a sense of profound understanding. He could feel the changes in his body, the strengthened meridians, the stabilized dantian, the increased flow of spiritual energy.
He focused his attention on his status screen.
`[Name: Jian Li]`
`[Age: 17]`
`[Cultivation Stage: Qi Condensation (Early Stage)]`
`[STR: 8]`
`[DEX: 7]`
`[CON: 9]`
`[INT: 12]`
`[WIS: 11]`
`[Skills: Basic Sword Art (Proficient), Basic Meditation (Mastered), Qi Condensation (Innate)]`
He was officially a Qi Condensation cultivator. He had taken the first step on the path to immortality. And he had done it while napping. He couldn't help but grin.
`[System Notification: Congratulations! You have unlocked the "Lazy Genius" title!]`
`[Effect: Increases passive spiritual energy absorption by 10%]`
He blinked. A title? Just for sleeping? This System was truly something else.
He slowly opened his eyes, stretching languidly. The sunlight seemed brighter, the air fresher. He felt… lighter, somehow. More energetic.
He sat up, glancing around. He noticed Mei Lin standing nearby, staring at him with a mixture of suspicion and envy. He smiled innocently.
"Good afternoon," he said cheerfully. "Did you have a good practice?"
Mei Lin's expression hardened. "What were you doing?" she demanded, her voice sharp.
Jian Li feigned ignorance. "Doing? I was just… resting. I find the Spiritwood very relaxing."
"Don't lie to me," she snapped. "I saw you. You were surrounded by a shimmer of energy. What was that?"
Jian Li shrugged. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Maybe you were seeing things."
Mei Lin glared at him, her fists clenched. She knew he was hiding something. But she couldn't prove it.
"Just… be careful," she said, her voice low and menacing. "Some things are best left undisturbed."
She turned and stalked away, leaving Jian Li alone beneath the tree. He watched her go, a thoughtful expression on his face. He had a feeling this was just the beginning.