Chapter 8: Whispers in the Deep
The deeper Clinton went, the more unnatural the cave became.
The air grew colder, denser. The walls pulsed faintly, as if veins of energy were hidden beneath the stone. His breath turned to mist, and each step echoed like a drumbeat in an ancient tomb.
> "Energy readings increasing," Narvek said. "We're close to a significant source."
"Significant how?"
> "Potential cultivation breakthrough. Possibly relic. Possibly… sentient."
"Great. Nothing like a maybe-sentient relic to calm the nerves."
He continued forward, guided by faint pulses in his vision—Narvek's internal scan highlighting Qi currents in glowing threads.
After another tight passage, Clinton emerged into a cavern.
It was massive.
And glowing.
Crystals jutted from the floor and walls, humming softly. A small pool of silver water sat at the center, shimmering with energy. Floating just above the water… was a lotus.
But it wasn't ordinary.
Its petals were obsidian-black, trimmed in red light, and each pulse from it seemed to call something within Clinton.
> "Resonance confirmed," Narvek said. "That's the source. Unknown-grade spiritual catalyst. Perfect match to your latent core."
Clinton stepped closer, heart racing.
Suddenly—
SKRRRRRIIIIIK!
A monstrous shriek echoed from behind.
Clinton spun around.
Emerging from the shadows was a Qi beast unlike any they had faced. Serpent-like, with four limbs, jagged bone plating along its spine, and glowing white eyes. It radiated pressure—a low-stage Foundation beast?
> "Hostile. Combat rating far above current capacity."
Clinton took a step back.
"Should I run?"
> "If you do, you die. Listen carefully. Uploading emergency protocol: Borrowed Qi Infusion."
"Wait, what—?"
Suddenly, a burning pulse filled Clinton's core. His limbs tensed. His vision sharpened.
Narvek didn't wait for his permission this time.
> "Strike when it blinks. Aim for the left inner jaw—tissue there is thin. Three seconds."
The beast lunged.
Clinton ducked, rolled left, and slashed upward—his wooden sword infused with borrowed Qi.
CRACK!
The sword shattered… but the beast screeched in pain, blood gushing from its jaw.
It reeled.
And Clinton didn't stop.
He leapt onto a stone and launched forward again—this time stabbing the broken hilt into the same wound.
The beast collapsed, convulsing… and stilled.
Clinton collapsed too, gasping.
> "Vital signs stabilized. Threat neutralized. Begin absorption?"
"Yeah… do it."
He dragged himself toward the lotus.
The moment he touched it, it dissolved into energy—flooding his body with an intense surge of heat and light.
His veins lit up. His core vibrated. And in the blink of an eye—
He broke through.
Qi began to swirl in his dantian—dense and alive.
Clinton opened his eyes slowly.
He could feel it now.
Power.
> "Congratulations," Narvek said. "You've officially stepped into the First Layer of Qi Condensation. Your journey begins now."
Clinton smirked.
"Let's make sure it doesn't end too soon."