Chapter 2: The Awakening of the EXP System
The night was quiet in Wutan City.
Stars dotted the sky above, and the streets were lit only by the flicker of oil lamps. On the edge of the city's outer district, in a cramped room with a single straw mat, Lin Chen sat cross-legged, beads of sweat sliding down his brow.
His body trembled slightly.
Dou Qi flowed within him sluggishly, like oil trying to pass through cracked pipes. He'd been stuck at 3-star Dou Zhe for two weeks now—too early for a bottleneck, but the progress had halted.
'Why? I've been pushing myself harder than ever.'
Just then, a sudden pressure built in his chest. His heartbeat quickened, and a black, mist-like energy flooded his consciousness. It wasn't malevolent—but it was ancient. Cold. Primal.
'What is this…?'
Then a mechanical ding echoed in his mind.
---
[System Activated]
Welcome, Lin Chen. Initializing Status Panel...
A translucent blue screen appeared in his vision. Unlike the fancy systems he'd read about in webnovels, this one was minimalistic. Efficient.
---
[Lin Chen – Status Panel]
Age: 10
Level: 3-Star Dou Zhe
EXP: 172 / 400
Elemental Affinities:
Fire [Major]
Wood [Minor]
Darkness [Major]
Body Attributes:
Strength: 14
Agility: 12
Endurance: 15
Spirit: 18
Skills:
[Basic Breathing Technique] Lv.2 (EXP: 39 / 100)
[Dou Qi Circulation] Lv.3 (EXP: 88 / 150)
[Herb Recognition] Lv.2 (EXP: 20 / 100)
System Function: Skill Experience Integration System
➤ Skill EXP is gained through usage, training, or special events.
➤ When a skill levels up, you gain attribute bonuses and Dou Qi efficiency increases.
➤ EXP must be earned manually—no passive gains.
➤ Skills can be fused after reaching Lv.5.
➤ Unique Elemental Skills unlock at Lv.10 and above.
---
Lin Chen's breath hitched.
'A real system… a true EXP-based skill system. Not one that hands out rewards like candy.'
He clenched his fists, heart racing with excitement. This system was perfect for him—grind-based, no shortcuts, no gifts from the heavens. He'd work for everything.
' Fire, Wood… and Darkness. '
---
Later That Night…
Lin Chen opened his eyes, determination burning within him. Now that he understood how to grow, he adjusted his daily training schedule.
> Morning: Herb studies, missions, physical body training.
Afternoon: Breathing and Qi circulation, improving Dou Qi control.
Evening: Fire-type techniques and wood-based energy manipulation from local forest plants.
Night: Meditation and refining inner Qi.
He had no techniques yet compatible with his elemental affinities—but he would make them himself.
---
[System Notice]
Skill Progress: [Dou Qi Circulation] Lv.3 → Lv.4
EXP Reached: +150
New Attribute Bonus: +1 Strength, +1 Endurance
Qi Control Efficiency increased by 3%.
---
He grinned.
Progress.
Every day, he would check the panel and push his skills toward evolution. He would extract every advantage this world had to offer—forge techniques tailored to his unique triple affinity, and by the time Xiao Yan was even born…
' I will rule the Jiama empire then Conquer the northwest region '