James found himself drifting in a vast, endless void, surrounded by symbols floating in the air. They glowed with an ethereal light, shifting and morphing, written in a language unknown to him. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't decipher their meaning. Yet, as he observed, the symbols started forming into a shape as a large, golden cauldron appeared.
Intricate engravings covered the cauldron's surface, depicting creatures both familiar and foreign. Dragons coiled around its base, their eyes burning with an inner fire. Human figures stood alongside strange beings James had never seen before. He was fascinated, staring in awe at the mesmerizing craftsmanship.
Suddenly, a status window appeared in front of him. James nearly jumped in excitement. Could this be his long-awaited golden finger?
Golden Cauldron: Capable of devouring both Yin and Yang.
James furrowed his brows. Yin and Yang? He wasn't entirely sure what that meant. Before he could ponder further, the cauldron acted on its own. As a small, serpentine aura creature appeared which was the Crimson Viper, as that was the Qi manifested that James was familiar with. The golden cauldron's lid opened slightly and without warning, it sucked in the viper.
James's heart skipped a beat. He had cultivated that Qi for a long time. If something happened to it, he would surely regret it. He reached out, trying to stop the cauldron, but it was already too late. The Crimson Viper struggled against an invisible force until it was completely consumed.
The moment it vanished, the cauldron shone with a blinding light. James shielded his eyes, letting out a frustrated groan. "Why does it always have to be like this?" he complained with fake tears.
When the light dimmed, another notification appeared before him.
New Technique Acquired: Heavenly Requiem Sutra
James's jaw dropped, he blinked, reading the description again, and his face turned red with embarrassment. This wasn't just any cultivation technique, it was a dual-cultivation method, one designed to absorb and harmonize Qi through physical intimacy. His mind raced. Why did the cauldron give him something like this?
Before he could question further, James woke up abruptly, gasping. He sat up, still dazed from the dream. "What the hell was that?!" he muttered, rubbing his temples. But despite his embarrassment, he couldn't ignore the additional benefits of the technique. Aside from the main cultivation method, it also included a fist technique, leg movements, and a body-strengthening method. This was more than he had expected.
However, he had no time to waste. The Ying Sect was arriving soon. He needed to get stronger, and fast.
However, he had no time to waste. The Ying Sect was arriving soon. He needed to get stronger, and fast.
As he got dressed, he hurried out to find a secluded place to practice. On his way, he accidentally bumped into Li Mei. She greeted him with a warm smile, and James quickly bowed in respect, even though he was suspicious of her.
"James, in a rush as always?" Li Mei teased, tilting her head slightly.
James chuckled sheepishly. "You caught me. I need to get some training done before the Ying Sect arrives."
Li Mei's expression grew serious. "Ah, about that... I heard from the elders that they'll be arriving in two days."
James's stomach dropped. "Two days? I thought I had more time." he had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed still shocked him.
She nodded. "That's why I wanted to warn you. They'll be assessing the younger generation's progress, and from what I hear, they won't go easy on anyone."
James exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "I see. Thanks for telling me, Li Mei. That means I really have to make the most of my training."
Li Mei smiled encouragingly. "Just don't push yourself too hard. Strength comes from discipline, not desperation."
James returned her smile. "I'll keep that in mind. See you later."
He quickly composed himself, thanking Li Mei before parting ways as they bid farewell, and with newfound urgency. He headed to his training spot and began practicing one of the techniques from the Heavenly Requiem Sutra called the Eight Heavenly Gates fist technique.
Compared to his previous Crimson Viper Fist, this new technique felt completely different. The power flowed more naturally, and each strike seemed to harmonize with his breathing and Qi flow. The stance of the Eight Heavenly Gates was firm yet fluid, with his feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and his weight evenly distributed. His fists were positioned near his core, ready to strike with a controlled burst of energy. Each motion carried a blend of explosive force and graceful precision, as if channeling the balance of Yin and Yang itself.
As he continued practicing, unaware of his surroundings, someone hidden in the shadows observed him closely. A figure barely visible behind the trees watched his every move with keen interest.