The night was quiet.
Inside his small, worn room—
Lin Ye sat cross-legged on the floor.
For the first time since transmigrating—
He wasn't fighting.
He wasn't killing.
He was cultivating.
"…Qi Gathering."
In his hand—
A worn manual.
Taken from the system shop.
Though low-grade—
It was his first true step into the martial path.
Lin Ye closed his eyes.
Slowed his breathing.
The world around him… faded.
Darkness.
Silence.
Then—
He felt it.
A faint energy.
Floating in the air.
"…Spiritual Qi."
Weak.
Scattered.
Hard to grasp.
The manual's method surfaced in his mind.
"Sense it… guide it… absorb it…"
Lin Ye focused.
Time passed.
Minutes.
Then—
A thread of Qi…
Entered his body.
"—!"
A sharp sensation surged through his meridians.
Painful.
Unstable.
"…Again."
He didn't stop.
Second thread.
Third.
Fourth.
Each one—
Like needles piercing through him.
Sweat formed on his forehead.
His breathing grew uneven.
But his eyes—
Remained closed.
Focused.
"I've endured worse…"
Blood absorption.
Broken bones.
Near death.
This?
Nothing.
Hours passed.
Slowly—
The Qi gathered.
Circulating.
Flowing.
From scattered threads—
To a stream.
Then—
BOOM!
A surge exploded inside him.
His body trembled.
[Ding!]
[Breakthrough Achieved]
[Realm: Body Tempering → Qi Gathering (Stage 1)]
Lin Ye's eyes snapped open.
A sharp glow flickered within them.
His senses—
Expanded instantly.
The room felt clearer.
Sharper.
Alive.
He exhaled slowly.
"…So this is Qi Gathering."
A true cultivator.
Not just a killer relying on the system.
Now—
He had foundation.
But—
His gaze darkened slightly.
"…Still not enough."
⚔️ Training Grounds
The next day—
Lin Ye stepped into a new place.
Outer Disciple Training Grounds.
A wide, open arena.
Filled with disciples sparring, training, fighting.
Here—
Strength spoke.
Nothing else mattered.
As Lin Ye entered—
Some glanced at him.
Then looked away.
Still the same.
Still "trash" in their eyes.
"…Good."
He walked forward.
Toward the combat area.
A disciple sneered nearby.
"New here?"
Lin Ye looked at him.
Level 3.
"Weak."
"I want to spar."
Lin Ye said calmly.
The disciple laughed.
"You?"
"Fine."
"Don't cry later."
⚔️ First Controlled Fight
They stepped into the ring.
A small crowd gathered.
"Who's that?"
"No idea."
"Doesn't matter."
The signal was given.
"Begin!"
The disciple rushed forward—
Confident.
But—
Lin Ye moved first.
Blood Shadow Step!
FLASH!
He vanished—
Reappearing behind him.
"—?!"
BAM!
One punch.
The disciple flew out of the ring.
Silence.
"…What?"
Everyone froze.
One move.
Instant defeat.
Lin Ye stood calmly.
"…Too weak."
Whispers spread.
"Did you see that?"
"That movement—"
"He's hiding strength!"
Lin Ye ignored them.
"Next."
⚠️ Rising Attention
This time—
A stronger disciple stepped forward.
Level 4.
"Let me try."
His expression serious.
The fight began.
This time—
Not instant.
The opponent reacted faster.
Blocked.
Countered.
But—
Lin Ye adapted.
Each move sharper.
Each strike heavier.
BAM!
CRACK!
THUD!
The fight ended—
With Lin Ye standing.
Again.
Two wins.
Clean.
Dominant.
Now—
People were staring.
"…Who is he?"
Lin Ye could feel it.
Attention.
Danger.
But also—
Opportunity.
🧊 A Familiar Presence
From a distance—
A white figure watched.
Su Qingyue.
Her gaze fixed on Lin Ye.
"…Qi Gathering already."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"He's growing fast."
Too fast.
But instead of concern—
A faint interest grew.
"…Let's see more."