The sudden rush of power was intoxicating, a dizzying ascent from the depths of weakness to a precipice of unimaginable strength. Eric stood in the clearing, the spectral form of the Dragon Spirit pulsing within his Dantian, its ancient power thrumming through his veins. The Forest Troll was long gone, its terrified retreat a testament to the raw energy now emanating from him.
He inhaled deeply, the air tasting crisp, alive with spiritual essence. His senses were sharper, the rustle of individual leaves, the distant murmur of the wind, the faint scent of sap from a broken branch – all amplified, clear. He could feel the spiritual energy in the air, a tangible force he could almost grasp.
"Unbelievable," he whispered, his voice deeper, resonating with a new timbre. He still looked like Eric, the scrawny, often-beaten youth, but inside, a profound transformation had occurred.
A soft, resonant voice, ancient and echoing, filled his mind. It was the Dragon Spirit. "Do not be so quick to underestimate your new state, young one. Your vessel is no longer merely human. The essence of the Azure Dragon flows within you."
Eric stumbled back, startled. "You... you can speak to me?" he thought, his mind racing.
"We are one, now," the Dragon Spirit replied, its voice calm and profound. "Our fates are intertwined. Your thoughts are open to me, as are mine to you, should you choose to listen."
"But... how? Why me?" Eric asked, overwhelmed.
"The path of cultivation is one of destiny, and sometimes, of serendipity," the Dragon Spirit mused. "For millennia, I have slumbered, my essence fragmented after a cataclysmic battle. Your desperation, your unwavering will to survive and protect, even in the face of insurmountable odds, resonated with the faint remnants of my power. You were a spark in the darkness, and the conditions were ripe for my awakening."
Eric tried to process this. A dragon, inside him. A powerful, ancient being that had chosen him. "So, what now? What do I do with this... power?"
"That, young cultivator, is for you to decide," the Dragon Spirit replied. "My essence grants you a foundation unlike any other. Your spiritual energy, though nascent in its current form, is of the purest draconic origin. It will grow exponentially with proper cultivation. Furthermore, I can impart knowledge, techniques, and insights that transcend the common understanding of this age."
"Knowledge? Techniques?" Eric felt a surge of hope. This was it. This was his chance to break free from the cycle of poverty and weakness. "Can you teach me how to fight, how to truly cultivate?"
"Indeed. But know this, Eric," the Dragon Spirit's voice took on a serious tone. "True power is not merely about strength. It is about understanding, discipline, and purpose. The path of a Dragon Cultivator is arduous, filled with trials and tribulations. Are you ready for such a burden?"
Eric thought of Roric's sneers, the villagers' pity, the ever-present threat of the monsters. He thought of his family, scraping by, living in fear. "I'm ready," he said, his voice firm, unwavering. "I have to be."
"Good," the Dragon Spirit affirmed. "Let us begin with the basics. Your current spiritual energy, though vast compared to your previous state, is unrefined. We shall call this the Dragon Qi Infusion stage. It is a temporary state, a transitional phase as your body adapts to draconic essence. You must learn to control it, to harness it."
"How do I do that?" Eric asked, eager.
"Meditate," the Dragon Spirit instructed. "Draw upon the spiritual energy of the world around you, not merely into your Dantian, but into every cell of your being. Feel the connection between yourself and the cosmos. Once you have a firm grasp of the Qi in your body, we shall begin teaching you the Azure Dragon Scripture, the foundational cultivation method of my lineage."
Eric sat down, cross-legged, closing his eyes. He focused, as he had countless times before, on drawing in spiritual energy. But this time, it was different. Instead of a trickle, it flowed like a river, rushing into him, invigorating every fiber. He felt his body tremble with the sheer volume of it. The sensation was overwhelming, almost painful in its intensity, yet exhilarating.
He opened his eyes, blinking. The sun was higher now. Hours must have passed in what felt like minutes. He felt refreshed, energized, his mind clear.
"Excellent," the Dragon Spirit praised. "Your innate sensitivity to spiritual energy has been magnified. Now, we move to the next step. The Azure Dragon Scripture is a supreme cultivation technique. It will not only strengthen your body but also purify your spirit, allowing you to comprehend the true essence of the elements."
"Elements?" Eric questioned. "Like fire and water?"
"Precisely. But far beyond simple elemental manipulation. True mastery involves understanding the very fabric of existence, manipulating reality itself," the Dragon Spirit explained. "For now, focus on the first three stages of the Scripture. They are known as Scales of Purity, Claws of Might, and Breath of the Azure."
"Scales of Purity," Eric repeated, trying to commit it to memory. "What do they do?"
"Scales of Purity refines your spiritual energy, making it denser and more potent. It also strengthens your physical body, granting you resilience akin to dragon scales," the Dragon Spirit explained. "Claws of Might will allow you to condense your spiritual energy into devastating offensive techniques. And Breath of the Azure will grant you the ability to channel and release your spiritual energy in powerful, sweeping attacks, mimicking my breath."
"That sounds incredible," Eric breathed. "But how quickly can I learn this?"
"With my guidance, and your unprecedented potential, far faster than any ordinary cultivator," the Dragon Spirit assured him. "However, patience and discipline are paramount. Do not rush. Do not seek shortcuts. The path of true power is built upon a solid foundation."
A faint rumble echoed through the clearing. Eric tensed. "What was that?"
"It appears we have company," the Dragon Spirit warned. "Another Qi Beast, by the feel of its spiritual aura. Stronger than the troll. Be prepared."
Eric instinctively reached for his Ironwood staff, but then remembered the immense power now coursing through him. "Should I... use the new techniques?"
"Not yet. You lack control. For now, rely on your instincts, but let your draconic essence guide your movements. And do not hold back," the Dragon Spirit instructed.
A massive creature lumbered into view. It resembled a giant, mutated bear, its fur bristling with sharp, rock-like protrusions, its eyes glowing with predatory hunger. This was a Stonehide Grizzly, a powerful Qi Beast known for its defensive capabilities and crushing blows, easily at Qi Condensation Stage 8.
"A Stonehide Grizzly!" Eric exclaimed. He'd heard tales of these beasts. Cultivators at his previous level would flee on sight. But now... a strange excitement bubbled within him.
The Grizzly let out a guttural roar and charged, its heavy paws pounding the ground.
"Focus your Qi. Channel it through your limbs. Move with fluidity, like the wind," the Dragon Spirit advised.
Eric dodged the Grizzly's initial charge, a movement far swifter than he could have managed before. He felt a newfound agility, his body responding to his will with effortless grace. He swung his staff, not with brute force, but with a refined technique he didn't know he possessed. The impact, imbued with a fraction of his draconic Qi, sent a shockwave through the Grizzly, making it stumble.
The Grizzly roared in anger, swiping a massive paw at Eric. He ducked, the wind of the blow rustling his hair. He could see the spiritual energy flowing within the Grizzly, identifying its weak points with surprising clarity.
"Now! A concentrated strike to its underbelly, where its scales are thinnest!" the Dragon Spirit commanded.
Eric gathered his spiritual energy, not in a crude burst, but in a focused surge. He lunged, his staff a blur, striking precisely where the Dragon Spirit had indicated. The impact was deafening. The Stonehide Grizzly let out a pained roar, a gash appearing on its rocky hide, and it staggered backward, collapsing with a heavy thud.
Eric stood panting, his eyes wide. He had defeated a Stonehide Grizzly. Alone. With barely any formal training in his new state.
"An impressive display for a nascent cultivator," the Dragon Spirit praised. "You learn quickly. This beast's core will be a valuable resource. It will not only aid in your cultivation but also provide some much-needed spiritual stones when sold in the village."
"Spiritual stones..." Eric murmured. The thought of having resources, of being able to afford cultivation pills and better equipment, was almost as exhilarating as the battle itself.
He knelt beside the fallen Grizzly, carefully extracting its glowing Qi core. It pulsed with a steady rhythm, radiating a potent spiritual energy. He had never held such a valuable item before.
"We should return to the village," the Dragon Spirit advised. "You need to rest and consolidate your power. And we must begin your proper cultivation with the Azure Dragon Scripture."
"But won't people notice the change?" Eric asked, suddenly wary. He couldn't just waltz back into Ironclad Village radiating power and carrying a Stonehide Grizzly core. Roric and his ilk would be suspicious, envious.
"Your aura can be suppressed, for now," the Dragon Spirit replied. "I will guide you in shrouding your true power. It is wise to be discreet until you have a firm grasp of your abilities. Let them underestimate you. It will be to your advantage."
"Underestimate me..." Eric mused, a small, knowing smile touching his lips. The thought of Roric's face when he finally revealed his true strength sent a satisfying thrill through him.
He activated the suppression technique as instructed by the Dragon Spirit, feeling his vibrant aura recede, replaced by the familiar, albeit slightly stronger, spiritual presence he had before. He carefully placed the Stonehide Grizzly core into his pouch, its weight a comforting reassurance.
As he walked back towards the village, the setting sun casting long shadows once more, Eric felt a profound sense of purpose. The world was still dangerous, the monsters still lurked, but now, he was no longer a victim. He was a cultivator, a Dragon Cultivator. His journey had truly begun. And the path ahead, though challenging, was now one of boundless potential.
The taste of dirt was no longer of humiliation, but of the fertile ground from which something extraordinary had finally bloomed.