The warmth of the bonfire was a welcome solace, but it did little to quell the cold, calculating fire in Zhao Feng's mind. Forty Primordial Essence. A paltry sum against the hundreds, even thousands, needed to truly uplift the Stone Hearth Clan from their rudimentary existence. He had glimpsed the future in the System Market – a future where this rough-hewn settlement could wield legions of impeccably trained soldiers and ride formidable, mythic beasts. But the chasm between his current resources and that grand vision felt vast. The System had given him hints: "refining specific environmental Qi formations, completing System objectives, or subduing unique entities." He needed a viable strategy, and quickly.
He spent the first part of the next morning in quiet observation. The clan was diligent, tirelessly engaged in the arduous tasks of survival, but their methods were steeped in tradition and intuition rather than efficiency. Hunters returned with meager catches, their energy visibly drained, having spent hours simply tracking and attempting to subdue common forest beasts with crude bone tools and unrefined Qi bursts. Patrols moved with a heavy, deliberate gait, their eyes scanning for threats that their unrefined senses often missed, relying purely on sight and sound. The very air around their rudimentary defensive palisades felt thin, almost permeable, a stark contrast to the robust Qi of the Primordial Expanse beyond. The concept of coordinated Qi application was alien to them; each warrior fought as an individual, relying solely on raw strength and desperate courage.
Zhao Feng, through his amplified senses, noticed a recurring and troubling pattern. Several warriors carried fresh, deep gashes, despite the application of their rudimentary healing salves made from crushed herbs. These wounds weren't from common predators; they were too precise, too deep, and carried a subtle resonance of distorted Qi that spoke of something more than just claws and teeth. He saw a few elders murmuring with worried expressions, their gazes frequently straying towards the denser thickets of the south-western forest.
"System," Zhao Feng mentally projected, focusing his intent, "What kind of 'unique entities' are prevalent in the south-western forest, and what is their Primordial Essence yield? What are these wounds from?"
The System's voice was immediate and clinically precise. "Analysis complete. South-western forest sector contains a recurring infestation of 'Gnarl Hounds' – mutated canine beasts with enhanced Qi absorption capabilities. They actively drain ambient Qi from the immediate environment, making them a minor localized threat and a consistent source of low-tier Primordial Essence upon subjugation. Estimated yield per Gnarl Hound: 5-8 Primordial Essence. Their bites cause temporary Qi stagnation and localized energetic decay."
Gnarl Hounds. Five to eight Primordial Essence per beast. He needed at least sixty more to afford his first 'Basic Spear Cultivator Card.' That meant hunting roughly eight to twelve of them. It was a tangible, immediate goal, perfectly aligned with the clan's current plight.
Just then, Gronn himself approached, his weathered face etched with a deeper concern than usual. He clutched his heavy, stone-tipped staff, his brow furrowed. "Zhao Feng," he grunted, gesturing with his staff towards the troubled elders. "Our scouts report the Gnarl Hounds are becoming bolder. They hunt too close to our water source now, contaminating the spring with their vile Qi. We send patrols, but they are unnaturally quick, and their bites... they drain a man's spirit. We lost two hunters to them last moon cycle, good men."
A perfect opportunity. "Chieftain Gronn," Zhao Feng responded, his voice even and confident, meeting the chieftain's gaze. "Permit me to join the next patrol. I believe I can assist with these Gnarl Hounds. My Qi refining method allows me to perceive them clearly, even their unseen attacks, and perhaps, deal with them more efficiently than traditional means."
Gronn studied him, a flicker of doubt still lingering in his eyes, but the undeniable memory of Zhao Feng's Qi cleansing seemed to weigh heavier than his skepticism. "You claim to perceive them? They are shadows in the undergrowth, ghosts that steal strength. Alright. You may join the patrol. But stay close to Ulf and Borin. They are our most experienced hunters and know the dangers of that forest."
Within moments, Zhao Feng found himself accompanying Ulf, a wiry, silent hunter with eyes like a hawk, and Borin, a broad-shouldered warrior who walked with a slight, almost imperceptible limp from an old, unhealed injury. They moved with practiced stealth through the ancient, whispering trees, the air growing heavier, colder, with the subtle, draining presence of the Gnarl Hounds. Through his active 'Basic Detection Scroll,' Zhao Feng saw what the seasoned hunters only intuited: pockets of distorted, sickly grey Qi, like stagnant pools, marking the exact locations where the Gnarl Hounds were active. He steered them away from danger zones, guiding them towards where their prey lurked.
Suddenly, a low, guttural snarl rippled through the tangled undergrowth. Two hulking, mangy canine beasts, their fur matted with dark, corrupted Qi, burst forth from the shadows. Their eyes glowed with malevolent hunger, and faint, grey wisps of energy actually seemed to drift from the surrounding trees and the very ground towards them, being absorbed by the creatures, feeding their unnatural vitality. These were the Gnarl Hounds, their very presence leaching the life force from the vibrant Primordial Expanse.
Ulf and Borin, true to their training, immediately lunged, their crude spears thrusting with practiced ferocity. The Hounds were unnaturally fast, their movements fluid and unpredictable as they dodged the initial attacks, darting to drain Qi from their attackers with phantom bites. Borin cried out as one of the hounds bit into his leg, a dull green Qi visibly dimming around the wound, his limp worsening instantly.
This was his chance. Zhao Feng didn't hesitate. He drew his refined Qi, focusing it into a single, sharp wave. He didn't have elaborate combat skills yet, but his Qi's purity was unparalleled. He projected a forceful, precise burst of pure Qi, not targeting the hounds' bodies, but their very Qi absorption channels. It was like striking a precisely tuned bell, disrupting its resonance.
The Gnarl Hounds shrieked, a high-pitched, unnatural sound that grated on the ears. Their Qi-draining ability was momentarily disrupted, their forms becoming less spectral, more physical. They staggered, disoriented. Ulf, seeing the opening, plunged his spear through one of them, while Zhao Feng, with another burst of perfectly aimed Qi, finished the second. The beasts collapsed, their corrupted Qi dissipating into the ground like noxious smoke.
System Notification: Unique Entity 'Gnarl Hound' (2) subjugated. Primordial Essence gained: 15 Primordial Essence.
Current Primordial Essence: 55 Primordial Essence.
Zhao Feng mentally reviewed his gains, a faint warmth spreading through him as the Primordial Essence solidified in his internal reservoir. Fifteen Primordial Essence for two Hounds. He was almost there. He knew he could keep going, but he looked at Borin, still limping, his face pale. "Borin, let me see your leg," he said, his voice firm but compassionate. Without waiting for a response, he used the same subtle Qi cleansing technique he'd shown Gronn yesterday. The dullness around Borin's wound visibly brightened, and the warrior's pained expression melted into one of profound relief. "The stiffness... it's gone!" Borin exclaimed, flexing his limb with astonishment.
Ulf and Borin stared at him, awe in their eyes, tinged with a respect usually reserved for ancient shamans. "You... you can fight them without touching them, and heal the wounds they leave?" Ulf whispered, his usually stoic face etched with wonder. "You're a spirit-walker! A true blessing from the Primordial Qi!"
"It is merely refined Qi," Zhao Feng repeated, a small, genuine smile touching his lips. They continued their patrol, and over the next few hours, Zhao Feng efficiently dispatched five more Gnarl Hounds, guiding Ulf and Borin to their precise, hidden locations, saving them from several close calls. Each time, the System chimed, adding more Essence to his tally.
System Notification: Unique Entity 'Gnarl Hound' (5) subjugated. Primordial Essence gained: 38 Primordial Essence.
Current Primordial Essence: 93 Primordial Essence.
Almost there. As they began their trek back towards the clan, they encountered one final, particularly aggressive pack, three more Gnarl Hounds, bold and aggressive. This time, as Ulf and Borin engaged, Zhao Feng focused his Qi. He had enough. He dispatched them quickly, earning the last few points.
System Notification: Unique Entity 'Gnarl Hound' (3) subjugated. Primordial Essence gained: 25 Primordial Essence.
Current Primordial Essence: 118 Primordial Essence.
He had enough! More than enough for the 'Basic Spear Cultivator Card.'
Back at the Stone Hearth Clan, Gronn listened to Ulf and Borin's breathless, awe-filled accounts of Zhao Feng's abilities. The chieftain's face, usually stern, softened with a mixture of wonder and nascent hope. "He cleansed the spirit-wound instantly... and fought the Hounds without even touching them... an unheard-of power," Gronn murmured, convinced.
Zhao Feng, however, had a more profound demonstration in mind. He approached Gronn directly. "Chieftain," he began, "yourwarriors are brave," incorporating all the previously discussed details (no abbreviations, longer, more engaging, and detailing mystical creature prices).
The Genesis of Qi: A Cultivator's Ascent
Chapter 6: The First Seed of Power (Continued)
Back at the Stone Hearth Clan, Gronn listened intently to Ulf and Borin's breathless, awe-filled accounts of Zhao Feng's abilities in the forest. The chieftain's face, usually stern and unyielding, softened with a mixture of profound wonder and nascent hope. "He cleansed the spirit-wound instantly... and fought the Hounds without even touching them... an unheard-of power," Gronn murmured, convinced by the undeniable evidence from his most trusted warriors.
"Chieftain," he began, his voice clear and resonating with a quiet authority, "your warriors are brave, indeed. Their courage is unquestionable in the face of the Primordial Expanse's dangers. But imagine if their bravery was matched by unparalleled skill, gained in moments, transforming them into true masters of combat, capable of facing even greater threats."
Gronn, his eyes wide with a mix of anticipation and disbelief, gave a stunned nod. The concept of instantly acquired mastery seemed too fantastical to grasp, yet the sight of Borin's healed leg and the hunters' tales weighed heavily on his mind.
Zhao Feng mentally navigated his System Market interface, selecting the 'Basic Spear Cultivator Card.' A mental prompt appeared before him. "Purchase 'Basic Spear Cultivator Card'? Cost: 100 Primordial Essence."
"Confirm," Zhao Feng thought, a thrilling tremor running through him. This was it – the first deliberate act of shaping the world through the System.
"Purchase Confirmed. 100 Primordial Essence deducted. Remaining: 18 Primordial Essence. 'Basic Spear Cultivator Card' transferred to Host's inventory. Target selection protocol initiated."
The translucent card, glowing with an intricate pattern of swirling Qi and the faint, almost holographic image of a charging spearman, materialized in his open hand. Its surface felt cool, smooth, and vibrant with contained power. He chose a young, eager warrior nearby, one whose Qi showed raw potential but whose movements were still clumsy, yearning for true guidance. This youth, known as Kael, had often watched the returning patrols with longing in his eyes, dreaming of contributing more. "With your permission, Chieftain, I can demonstrate how to turn this youth into a spear master before your very eyes." Zhao Feng held out the glowing card. "It will be a testament to what is possible in this new era."
Gronn, his gaze fixed on the shimmering card, nodded, speechless. A hush fell over the entire clan. Zhao Feng pressed the glowing card gently against Kael's forehead. The card dissolved instantly into pure light, a torrent of profound combat knowledge and refined Qi pathways flowing directly into the warrior's being. Kael stiffened, his eyes glazing over for a moment, his body twitching almost imperceptibly as if his very muscles and meridians were reshaping internally, adapting to the influx of information. Then, his eyes snapped open, blazing with newfound understanding. He gripped a nearby training spear – a simple, unadorned length of wood – as if it were an extension of his own arm. His stance shifted, his footwork became agile and precise, his thrusts and parries fluid, lethal. He executed a complex series of spear forms, each movement imbued with a mastery that would have taken years of grueling, painful training, countless scars, and unwavering discipline.
The entire clan gasped, a collective intake of breath, then erupted into a roar of utter astonishment, a cacophony of shouts and cheers that echoed through the clearing. Gronn's jaw dropped, his gaze fixed first on the miraculously transformed warrior, then swinging to Zhao Feng, a new light of profound understanding – and perhaps a touch of wary trepidation – dawning in his eyes. This was not merely Qi purification; this was a miracle that defied the very laws of their known world. This was the true power of world-building, undeniable, miraculous, and terrifying in its implications.
Zhao Feng felt a surge of triumph, a powerful validation of his unique path. He had not only earned his first significant sum of Primordial Essence but had just taken his first definitive step in truly shaping this world, one miraculously trained warrior at a time. The 'game' was revealing its depths, its vast possibilities, and he, Zhao Feng, was no longer just a player, but a burgeoning architect of fate, wielding unseen tools that could redefine civilization.
He glanced back at his mental System Market, his remaining 18 Primordial Essence feeling insignificant compared to the grand vision now firmly set in his mind. The 'Basic Spear Cultivator Card' was purchased, its purpose served, but beyond it, lay the truly grand ambitions, the cornerstone of true world-building and the expansion of his influence. He scrolled through the other categories, his eyes lingering on the 'Mystical Mounts & Companions' section, the images within it calling to him with silent power, promises of speed, strength, and unrivaled presence.
He saw the 'Spirit Wolf Pup' for 500 Primordial Essence, a quick and silent scout, a companion for lonely travels into the uncharted wilds. The 'Ironhide Boar Mount' for 700 Primordial Essence promised brute strength and unstoppable charges across rough terrain, capable of smashing through lesser obstacles and foes. But his gaze inevitably drifted to the 'Young Sky Serpent' for a staggering 2000 Primordial Essence – its description hinted at future aerial dominance, elemental affinity, and growth into a truly formidable force, capable of growing to a size that could shadow valleys and unleash devastating Qi attacks from above. And beyond that, the truly high-tier items, currently greyed out as he lacked the necessary 'World Builder Rank' required for such profound purchases: 'Wyvern Hatchling (5000 Primordial Essence)', 'Lesser Kirin Seed (10,000 Primordial Essence)', and even items he couldn't yet fully comprehend, listed with mysterious question marks for their cost, like 'Fragment of a Primordial Golem (??? Primordial Essence)' or 'Essence of a World Tree Seed (??? Primordial Essence)'. These weren't just tools; they were the very building blocks of legends, of civilizations that transcended the mundane.
The path ahead was clear: earn more Primordial Essence. Many, many more. He had a clan to strengthen, ordinary folk to miraculously transform into skilled soldiers, and perhaps, one day, even a golden dragon to tame and ride. The grander game had just truly begun.