Zhang Wei woke to the sound of Xiao Ling arguing with the mangy dog. The boy stood in the center of the main hall, waving a stick like a sword while the dog barked at shadows.
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**Daily Quest: Morning Training**
**Description:** Begin your disciple's cultivation journey. Teach Xiao Ling the basics of Qi Condensation.
**Reward:** *Disciple Progress +15%*, *Sect Morale +5*.
**Failure Penalty:** Xiao Ling's loyalty decreases (-10).
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"Put the stick down," Zhang Wei said, tossing the *Basic Cultivation Manual* at the boy. "Read this."
Xiao Ling scowled. "I can't read."
*Fantastic.*
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**Tutorial: Qi Condensation (Layer 1)**
**Step 1:** Sit cross-legged and focus on breathing.
**Step 2:** Sense the ambient qi and draw it into your dantian.
**Step 3:** Cycle the qi through your meridians.
**Note:** Talent affects speed. Xiao Ling's Hidden Spiritual Physique reduces time required by 50%.
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Zhang Wei dragged the boy outside to a relatively dry patch of grass. "Sit. Breathe. Don't think about food."
"What's a dantian?" Xiao Ling asked.
"Your stomach area. Just… *feel* something."
An hour later, Xiao Ling sneezed, scattering a leaf pile he'd been meditating on. "This is stupid."
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**Quest Progress: Morning Training**
**Xiao Ling's Qi Sensitivity:** 12% (Talent Bonus Active).
**Advice:** Use a spirit herb to accelerate progress.
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Zhang Wei sighed and trudged to the ruined spirit herb garden. The system highlighted a wilted plant glowing faintly blue.
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**Item Identified:** Frostweed (Low-Grade Spirit Herb)
**Effect:** Temporarily enhances qi absorption.
**Condition:** Dormant (Revive with 1 Spirit Stone or 3 days of manual qi infusion).
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"Of course it's broken," he muttered.
He settled for plucking a handful of mundane herbs and returned to find Xiao Ling attempting to balance on one leg. "What are you doing?"
"Meditating," the boy said, wobbling.
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**Quest Updated: Morning Training**
**Xiao Ling's Qi Sensitivity:** 18%.
**New Objective:** Use any spirit herb to boost progress.
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Zhang Wei shoved the Frostweed into Xiao Ling's hands. "Eat this."
The boy gagged. "It tastes like dirt!"
"Chew. Swallow. *Meditate.*"
By noon, Xiao Ling's face flushed red, and steam curled from his fingertips.
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**Breakthrough Alert!**
**Xiao Ling has reached Qi Condensation Layer 1.**
**Reward:** *Disciple Loyalty +30*, *Sect Morale +20*.
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The boy shot to his feet, eyes wide. "I feel… weird."
"Good weird?"
"Like I ate too many meat buns."
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**New Quest: Stabilize the Disciple**
**Description:** Guide Xiao Ling to consolidate his qi.
**Reward:** *Basic Qi Control Skill (Novice)*, *Xiao Ling's Loyalty +10*.
**Failure Penalty:** Qi deviation (Health -50%).
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Zhang Wei shoved the manual into the boy's hands again. "Page three. Now."
While Xiao Ling grumbled over diagrams, Zhang Wei inspected the sect's perimeter. The system pinged.
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**Alert: Intruder Detected**
**Location:** Western tree line.
**Threat Level:** Low (Mortal).
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A figure lurked in the shadows—a scrawny man in patched robes, eyeing the hall greedily.
"Can I help you?" Zhang Wei called.
The man jumped. "I-I'm just passing through!"
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**NPC Identified:** Li Feng (Rogue Cultivator, Qi Condensation Layer 2)
**Intent:** Scouting for loot.
**Recommended Action:** Intimidate or recruit.
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Zhang Wei crossed his arms. "Looking to join the sect?"
Li Feng snorted. "This dump? I'd rather eat my shoes."
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**Quest: Defend Sect Pride**
**Description:** Humiliate the intruder to protect your reputation.
**Reward:** *Sect Reputation +10*, *Random Low-Grade Treasure*.
**Failure Penalty:** Sect labeled "Easy Target" (-30 Morale).
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Zhang Wei glanced at Xiao Ling, still sweating over his manual. *Time to bluff.*
"Xiao Ling!" he barked. "Show our guest your progress."
The boy stumbled over, fists glowing faintly. Li Feng's eyes widened.
"You… you've got a disciple?"
"First of many," Zhang Wei said, channeling qi into his palm—a trick he'd practiced secretly. The air crackled.
Li Feng backed away. "F-Forgive my intrusion, Sect Leader!"
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**Quest Completed: Defend Sect Pride**
**Reward Claimed:** *Ironhide Amulet (Defense +5)*, *Sect Reputation +10*.
---
As Li Feng fled, Xiao Ling collapsed. "Can I stop now?"
"No."
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By nightfall, Xiao Ling could cycle qi without steaming. The dog, now named "Lucky," barked at a flickering light in the forest.
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**Discovery: Spirit Vein (Dormant)**
**Location:** 200 meters northeast.
**Activation Requirement:** 10 Spirit Stones or Core Formation cultivator.
**Potential Output:** Low-grade qi (Supports 10 disciples).
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Zhang Wei stared at the glowing fissure in the ground. "We're rich."
Xiao Ling poked it with a stick. "It's just a hole."
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**New Primary Quest: Activate the Spirit Vein**
**Description:** Restore the sect's spiritual foundation.
**Reward:** *Sect-wide Cultivation Speed +20%*, *Reputation +50*.
**Failure Penalty:** Qi depletion slows all progress.
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Zhang Wei pocketed a shard of glowing stone. "First, we need money."
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**System Notice:**
**Upcoming Threat:** Rogue cultivators will raid the sect in 7 days.
**Recommended Preparation:** Strengthen defenses, recruit disciples.
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Lucky growled at the horizon. Somewhere in the darkness, laughter echoed.