Lin Zhan stood before the defeated beast, its massive form sprawled on the ground, unmoving. The clearing around him was eerily silent, the only sound the soft rustling of the wind through the trees. His breath still came in heavy gasps, his body sore from the effort, but a sense of accomplishment burned brightly within him. He had done it. He had faced the beast and won.
The man, who had been observing from the sidelines, stepped forward, his face unreadable. Lin Zhan turned to face him, feeling the weight of the stranger’s gaze upon him. Despite the man’s stoic expression, there was a hint of approval in his eyes, and that was enough to make Lin Zhan’s heart settle, even if only slightly.
“Well done,” the man said, his voice gruff but sincere. “You’ve proven yourself worthy of the training I’ll give you. You’ve got potential, Lin Zhan. Not many would have survived their first trial, let alone defeat a creature like that.”
Lin Zhan nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. His hands were still trembling, the remnants of the energy he had used to defeat the beast coursing through his veins. The power felt foreign but exhilarating. He had only begun to tap into it, and already, he could feel that there was so much more to discover.
The man’s eyes flickered toward the fallen creature. “This is a Shadow Beast. It’s one of the weaker monsters in this forest, but it’s still a dangerous opponent for someone who has never fought before. Its speed, strength, and regenerative abilities make it a perfect challenge for testing your raw power.”
Lin Zhan’s heart skipped a beat. “Shadow Beast? I thought it was just some random monster.” He had assumed that all the creatures in this world would be like the undead he had encountered earlier, simple and mindless. But this creature was different. Its presence alone had sent a chill down his spine, and now that it was dead, he could feel the energy lingering in the air.
“Nothing in this world is random,” the man replied, a faint smile on his lips. “Every creature here has a purpose, and every challenge you face will help you grow stronger. You have a lot to learn, Lin Zhan. But you’re on the right path.”
Lin Zhan swallowed hard. The realization of what he had just done—the beast, the power—was starting to hit him. It was all too overwhelming, and yet he couldn’t deny the sense of exhilaration that ran through him. This world, with all its dangers and mysteries, was unlike anything he had ever imagined. And somehow, he had survived.
“What now?” Lin Zhan asked, his voice more steady now, though still tinged with uncertainty. “What do I need to do to keep growing stronger?”
The man’s gaze grew serious, his expression sharpening. “The next step is to learn how to control your power. The Golden Finger system has awakened something inside you, but that power is like a wild beast. It can help you, but it can also destroy you if you don’t learn to tame it.”
Lin Zhan nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. He had felt the power coursing through him, but it had been chaotic, uncontrollable. There was no way he could keep fighting like that—he needed discipline, guidance.
“Your first lesson,” the man continued, “will be in cultivation. In this world, power comes from the cultivation of both body and spirit. You need to train your physical strength, but more importantly, you need to learn to harness the energy inside you. Only then will you be able to face stronger foes and unlock the true potential of the Golden Finger.”
Lin Zhan frowned. “Cultivation? You mean like… martial arts training? Is that how I’ll get stronger?”
The man shook his head. “Cultivation isn’t just about martial arts. It’s about aligning your body with the forces of this world. It’s about channeling the energy that exists within you and using it to fuel your strength, your abilities, your mind. You’ll train both physically and mentally, but the most important aspect is understanding the energy—what it is, where it comes from, and how to control it.”
Lin Zhan’s mind raced. He had read about cultivation in stories and novels—characters becoming stronger through meditation, training, and tapping into mysterious forces. But this was real, and he was now a part of it. It felt almost surreal.
“What do I need to do?” Lin Zhan asked, his voice tinged with determination. “I want to get stronger. I don’t want to be weak, just barely surviving.”
The man studied him for a moment, his eyes narrowed in thought. “First, you must begin by attuning yourself to the natural energy of this world. The first step in cultivation is learning to sense the spiritual energy, also known as Qi. It flows through everything—the earth, the air, the creatures. Once you can feel it, you can begin to draw it into your body, and that’s where the real training begins.”
Lin Zhan was silent for a moment, digesting the information. “And how do I sense it?”
The man raised a hand and motioned for Lin Zhan to follow him. “Come. I’ll show you.”
They walked toward the edge of the clearing, where a small stream ran through the dense forest. The water was clear, flowing smoothly over rocks, and the air here felt cooler, fresher. It was peaceful, serene—almost as though the very earth was alive.
The man knelt by the stream and placed his hand on the water, closing his eyes. For a moment, Lin Zhan was unsure of what the man was doing, but then he noticed something subtle. There was a faint glow in the air around the man, a shimmer that seemed to ripple through the air like a heat wave.
“This is the Qi,” the man said, his voice low and steady. “It’s everywhere. It’s in the earth, in the water, in the air you breathe. To cultivate, you need to learn to draw it in, to merge your spirit with it.”
Lin Zhan knelt beside him, unsure of how to begin. “How do I do that?”
The man’s eyes opened, and he fixed Lin Zhan with a piercing gaze. “First, you must clear your mind. Forget everything around you. Focus only on your breath. Once you’ve calmed your thoughts, open yourself to the energy of the world. Feel it, let it flow through you.”
Lin Zhan closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He tried to empty his mind, but thoughts kept intruding—thoughts of the beast, of his power, of the strange world he had found himself in. He could feel the pressure of the man’s gaze, the expectation, but he forced himself to remain still.
Slowly, he began to breathe in and out, steadying his pulse. It was hard at first. His mind kept wandering, his thoughts a jumble of confusion. But as he focused on his breath, he felt a subtle shift. It was faint, barely noticeable, but there was a presence around him. The air seemed to hum with energy, as though it was alive.
The man’s voice broke the silence. “Good. Now, reach out with your senses. Feel the Qi around you. Don’t try to force it—just feel it. Let it come to you.”
Lin Zhan’s brow furrowed in concentration. He could feel the breeze on his skin, the warmth of the sun on his face. And then… something else. A faint current, like a soft, invisible current of water moving around him. It wasn’t something he could see, but it was there. It was all around him, pulsing gently, like the heartbeat of the world.
“Focus on it,” the man instructed. “Let it flow through your body. Don’t try to control it yet. Just let it touch you.”
Lin Zhan obeyed, focusing on the sensation. Slowly, the energy seemed to gather around him, flowing through his body like a warm stream. His heart began to slow, his breathing deepening, and for the first time since arriving in this world, Lin Zhan felt a sense of peace.
The man gave a satisfied nod. “You’ve made progress. Now, with time and training, you will learn to draw this Qi into your body and use it. But remember, the energy here is not like the simple strength you’re used to on Earth. It is a force of nature. You must respect it and learn to control it, or it will consume you.”
Lin Zhan opened his eyes, his heart still calm, his senses sharp. He had taken the first step. There was so much more to learn, so much more power to uncover. But one thing was certain—he was on the path. The path of cultivation. The path to becoming stronger. And he wouldn’t stop until he had mastered it.
“Let’s begin your training,” the man said, his voice steady. “The journey ahead will be difficult. But if you have the will, you can succeed.”
Lin Zhan nodded, determination flooding his chest. The real trial was just begin .
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