Le Wei had read some weird things before...like Old Ren's bedtime stories about flying turtles who built cities on clouds, or that one time he found a scroll describing how to cook soup using moonlight and regret...but nothing quite matched this book.
The moment he opened it, the pages shimmered, and the title glowed like it was sponsored by an overenthusiastic special effects team.
THE GREAT FOUR ENERGY SYSTEMS
The words floated for a second before settling.
He squinted.
"Okay… this better not summon a cult. Or a singing narrator."
ENERGY SYSTEMS AND THEIR USERS
QI
Vital life energy flowing through meridians and the body's core. Used mainly for martial cultivation and physical enhancement.
Users Called: Cultivators
Skills: Body strengthening, energy strikes, elemental manipulation (fire, wind, earth)
"So basically... aggressive acupuncture," Le Wei muttered, rubbing his shoulder as if Qi might spontaneously punch him.
MANA
Magical energy drawn from the environment and inner soul. Focused on spellcasting and elemental control.
Users Called: Mana Weavers
Skills: Spellcasting, elemental magic (fire, water, lightning, ice), enchantments
He raised an eyebrow. "Cool. The wand-wavers. Probably come with robes, glowing hair, and zero social skills."
PRANA
Spiritual breath energy linked to consciousness and healing; often used to amplify psychic and life-force abilities.
Users Called: Prana Menders
Skills: Healing, spiritual awareness, telepathy, astral projection
"Ah, the peaceful ones. Speak softly, carry incense, float out of your body when life gets rough."
NETHER
Dark, shadowy energy connected to death, void, and curses; unstable but powerful.
Users Called: Netherborn
Skills: Necromancy, shadow manipulation, soul-binding, illusions
Le Wei blinked. "So... goths with actual power. Great."
He stared at the page for a long moment.
"Mana? Qi? Prana? Nether?" he muttered, eyes narrowing. "What is this, a breakfast combo? Where's the part that explains my weird dreams and unknown oddly large beasts calling me strange names?!"
The book, naturally, didn't reply. It just glowed quietly, like it was proud of being mysterious.
Still, he turned the page, half out of spite and half out of a gut feeling that maybe...just maybe, it would stop being ridiculous.
SHENZES
"We're Shenzes… every day, a newly born is birthed with a great energy system."
He read the line twice.
"'Birthed'? Who wrote this? A thesaurus with confidence issues?"
Still, he read on.
Apparently, people with energy systems were called Shenzes. They were born attuned to one of the four great energies and could develop powers based on their affinity.
Which sounded nice.
Unless, of course, you possessed none of the energy system. Or did he?
Like Le Wei.
THE EARTHKEEPERS
Definition: The strongest individuals within each energy system. They have mastered multiple skills in their field and stand as elite guardians of their domains.
Roles: Protectors, warriors, and occasionally walking drama machines.
Titles per System:
Qi – Wusheng – Martial Saint
Mana – Linghuang – Spirit Emperor
Prana – Minghun – Luminous Soul
Nether – Yingzun – Shadow Lord
Le Wei rolled his eyes.
"Spirit Emperor? Luminous Soul? These sound like stage names from a divine boy band."
He imagined them standing together in sparkling robes, each holding a wooden mic made of energy. "Next hit: 'Strike of the Soul Fire!' Coming soon to a temple near you."
THE HEAVENKEEPERS
Definition: Shenzes who've transcended single-energy mastery. They can wield two energy systems and dominate in both.
Role: Cosmic referees with extra sparkle.
Abilities: Versatile, powerful, and definitely the type to show off at parties.
Le Wei scoffed. "So double majors in energy school. Do they get capes? Probably. Bet they have personalized business cards too like those synagogue fools."
Dual-Energy Titles:
Qi + Mana – Thunder-Mystic Lord
"Punches people and sets them on fire. Nice."
Qi + Prana – Breathblade Monk
"Hits you and heals your trauma."
Qi + Nether – Shadow Warlord
"Cool. Definitely broods near lakes."
Mana + Prana – Dream Spirit Master
"Probably has a tea blend named after them."
Mana + Nether – Lord of Cursed Arts
"This guy definitely writes poetry in a cave."
Prana + Nether – Twilight Saint
"Okay, now they're just naming perfumes."
General HeavenKeeper Titles:
#Dual Ascendants
#Heaven's Hands
#Wielders of Balance
#Twinborn Scions
#Heavenforged
He slammed the book shut dramatically, as if that would teach it a lesson.
"Great. So the world has walking fire-breathing monks and cursed poetry lords...and I can't even light a stove without burning toast!"
He stood up, pointed at the sky, and shouted, "If there's a celestial helpdesk out there, I'd like to file a complaint!"
Silence.
A leaf fell gently onto his head like the universe's softest "no."
He sat back down with a sigh. "Fine. Guess I'll keep reading, oh wise book of plot twists and energy noodles."
"I swear, if I see one more hashtag-worthy title, I'm using this book to smack Old Ren. This is the magical equivalent of the old man's boring stories."
THE DUALITY
Definition: A legendary entity, or maybe a duo, who mastered all four energy systems. Said to be responsible for the exile of the afflicted.
"Afflicted?"
Role: Enforcer of balance. Enigmatic figure. Possibly a cosmic troll.
Abilities: Complete control over Qi, Mana, Prana, and Nether.
Mystery: Merciful protector? Ruthless judge? Or just someone with too much time and energy?
Le Wei stared blankly.
"Right. Of course there's a god-tier final boss character. Let me guess—they're the one who sent the fungus dream plague too?"
The book remained smugly silent.
He groaned and closed it.
"That's it. This book is insane. I don't need fantasy fan fiction. I need answers. I need to know why I passed a scroll fell from the sky, gave me absurd visions and why I keep seeing those beasts in my dreams."
He leaned back against the mossy rock, letting the book rest on his knees.
"I swear if this thing doesn't deliver soon, I'm giving it to Madam Youlan. She'll turn it into soup."
Wind rustled the trees. A bird dropped something suspiciously wet on a branch above him. Somewhere in the distance, Old Ren's goat sneezed like it had opinions.
Le Wei sighed.
"Fine. One more page. But if it starts singing, I'm out."
He flipped.
The heading on the next page was singular, bold, and unlike the others.
It didn't have a description yet.
It didn't need one.
It just said:
XUJI