His balance instantly dropped to 20 SP. A second later, a soft light coalesced in the air before him. It swirled and solidified, and a small, perfectly round pill dropped into his waiting palm. It was the size of a pearl and shimmered with five faint colors—red, blue, green, yellow, and brown—that seemed to roil beneath its smooth surface. A faint, earthy fragrance rose from it, calming his mind.
Without hesitation, he popped the pill into his mouth. The moment it touched his tongue, it dissolved, turning into a warm, viscous liquid that slid down his throat. As it reached his stomach, a potent wave of energy erupted, spreading through his body like a gentle, warm flood. It was nothing like the violent reconstruction from before. This was pure nourishment.
He could feel five distinct streams of energy separating from the flood. A fiery warmth spread through his blood, a cool current soothed his organs, an earthy vitality reinforced his flesh, a sharp metallic energy honed his bones, and a life-giving essence of water moistened his skin. He immediately sat cross-legged and began to circulate his Qi according to the Supreme Immortal Scripture.
His body became a vortex. The energy from the pill and the Qi from the air were drawn into his cultivation, nourishing his dantian, strengthening his meridians, and tempering every inch of his being. The bottleneck to the third layer of the Qi Condensation Realm, which he had expected to reach in at least another day, began to tremble under the combined assault.
Hours passed in a meditative haze. Outside, the sun reached its zenith and began its slow descent. Inside the room, Aryan was a statue, the only movement the faint, five-colored glow that pulsed just beneath his skin.
Then, with a soft 'pop' that was audible only in his soul, the barrier broke. It was like a dam bursting. A torrent of fresh, potent energy flooded his dantian, circulating through his meridians at a speed that would have crippled his old body. He felt his bones hum with a new density, his muscles tightening with a latent power that was both thrilling and terrifying. It was the feeling of shackles breaking.
The System panels appeared, their blue light a welcome sight.
[Congratulations, Host! You have broken through to Qi Condensation Realm - Layer 3.]
[Your attributes have improved.]
[Mission 1: A New Beginning - COMPLETE!]
[Calculating rewards...]
[Reward Issued: 500 SP, 1x Low-Grade Body Tempering Pill.]
His SP balance jumped from a meager 20 to a much more respectable 520. A plain, unremarkable white pill materialized and fell into his lap. He picked it up and stored it, a small smile touching his lips. He had completed a seven-day mission in less than twenty-four hours. This was the power of the System. This was the efficiency he would use to carve out his new destiny.
He stood, feeling the new level of power course through him. He was stronger, faster, and his senses were even sharper. But he knew it wasn't enough. Devgarh was a small pond. To become a dragon, he needed to find an ocean.
His mind was already made up. The Azure Dragon Academy, the premier institution in the entire Azure Province, was holding its entrance examinations in two months. That was his ticket out. That was his next objective.
Knock-knock-knock
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Aryan, it's me. May I come in?"
"Yes, Father."
Vikram entered, closing the door behind him. He held a small, heavy cloth pouch in his hand. He looked his son up and down, and his cultivator's senses immediately picked up the change. Aryan's aura was stronger, more stable
"You... you broke through again?" Vikram's voice was thick with disbelief.
Aryan simply nodded.
Vikram stared for a long moment, the shock on his face slowly morphing into a look of grim determination. He placed the cloth pouch on the table. It landed with a heavy clink.
"Inside are ten low-grade Spirit Stones," Vikram said, his voice firm now. "This is a significant portion of our family's savings. Use them for your cultivation. Do not disappoint me."
Aryan looked at the pouch, then at his father. He saw the immense hope, the gamble the man was placing on him.
"I won't," Aryan said. Then he took a breath. "Father, in two months, I intend to take the entrance examination for the Azure Dragon Academy."
Vikram's eyes widened, and then a slow, proud smile the first true smile Aryan had ever received from him spread across his face. "Good. That is exactly what you should aim for."
He turned and left, leaving Aryan alone with ten shimmering stones and a future that was, for the first time, dazzlingly bright.