The Chen Clan estate was alive again at dawn. Birds chirped softly above the rooftops, and the first rays of sunlight reflected off the courtyard stones. Even at this hour, disciples were already moving in pairs, practicing their forms and circulating Qi. The scent of fresh dew and polished wood filled the air.
I sat cross-legged near the Ancient Refining Pot, letting Qi circulate through my body. Yesterday's sparring with Liu Wei had been grueling, but the lessons were invaluable. My panel glowed faintly in my mind as I opened it, showing my current progress toward the first breakthrough:
Wen Chen — Cultivation Panel
Talent Level: Bronze-tier
Cultivation Level: Spirit Initiate Stage 1 / 5
Progress: 100% / 100%
Breakthrough potential stored
Reaching 100% yesterday meant I was now poised for the Stage 1 → Stage 2 breakthrough, but I had to carefully refine my Qi and movements first. The Ancient Refining Pot sat before me, a smooth, ancient bronze vessel. Its faint warmth resonated with my Qi, as if urging me to continue the subtle harmonization that would allow the breakthrough to occur.
I began Qi refinement, focusing on smooth, circular flows through my meridians, letting the pot absorb, amplify, and stabilize the energy. Each movement, though subtle, carried weight. My muscles tingled, my mind sharpened, and my senses seemed to expand slightly. The panel tracked every micro-adjustment:
Progress: 105% / 100% (stored for breakthrough)
Even with progress above 100%, Stage 1's cap remained firm—the growth beyond it was stored energy, potential for the breakthrough.
By mid-morning, Elder Gao called for sparring rotations, pairing disciples for skill testing. I approached the open yard, stretching lightly. Liu Wei was already there, adjusting his stance and radiating the subtle tension of someone aware that I had grown.
"Wen Chen," he said quietly, eyes narrowed, "you've been training… I can feel it. Don't think you can catch me off guard."
"I'm not trying to catch you off guard," I replied calmly. "I'm learning. That's all."
Our sparring began with Zhang Hao first. His raw power had always made him formidable, but his lack of finesse was obvious. I allowed his momentum to carry him forward, sidestepping and redirecting with minimal effort. Each movement was precise, flowing, and efficient. Sweat formed on my brow, but my panel tracked my growth as the energy circulated:
Wen Chen — Panel Update
Progress: 110% / 100%
Even though my actual strength hadn't exceeded Stage 1, the subtle harmony between my Qi, muscles, and mind gave me an edge that raw power couldn't overcome. Zhang Hao stumbled slightly, his confidence shaken by the fluidity of my movements.
Next came Liu Wei. His approach was calm, almost calculated. Unlike Zhang Hao, he was a skilled and adaptive fighter. Our strikes collided, Qi surging faintly around us. I anticipated his rhythm, redirecting his force rather than resisting it, while maintaining my own balance and conserving energy.
Progress: 115% / 100%
Each block, sidestep, and counter refined my control further. Even without exceeding Stage 1, my movements had become more fluid, more precise, more lethal in subtlety. I could see Liu Wei's eyes narrow—he recognized the growth, even if he didn't know the cause.
"Interesting," he muttered. "You've improved more than I expected. Keep this up, and you might surpass me someday."
"That depends on you too," I replied softly, smiling faintly.
The rotational sparring continued for hours. I faced multiple disciples, each with different styles, testing my adaptability, endurance, and precision. The Ancient Refining Pot had been integrated into my Qi refinement, subtly harmonizing my flow even while sparring. My panel continued to track growth, the stored energy for the eventual breakthrough steadily building:
Progress: 120% / 100%
By midday, sweat drenched my robes, and my muscles burned pleasantly from exertion. Even so, I felt exhilaration, the thrill of seeing my growth in real time. Stage 1 had been mastered, but the stored potential for Stage 2 shimmered like a quiet flame beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to ignite.
After sparring, I retreated to a quiet corner with the Ancient Refining Pot. I sat cross-legged, hands hovering over the bronze vessel. I focused my Qi, letting it circulate in increasingly complex patterns, feeling the subtle pull of the pot amplifying the stored energy.
Wen Chen — Panel Update:
Progress: 125% / 100%
Breakthrough potential growing
As I refined, the courtyard began to empty. Only a few younger disciples watched from a distance, whispers passing among themselves. Zhang Hao and Xiao Lin shared a look, realizing my skill had grown beyond yesterday's limits. Liu Wei, however, remained nearby, silently observing. He didn't know about the pot or the panel, but he could sense the difference in my Qi flow.
Even though the panel capped Stage 1 at 100%, I could feel the threshold for breakthrough approaching. My body vibrated slightly with latent energy, and a subtle heat radiated from my meridians. The Ancient Refining Pot seemed to pulse faintly, synchronizing with my Qi, as if urging me to take the next step.
By late afternoon, my family appeared at the edge of the courtyard. My mother, Lin Meihua, watched me carefully, noting the serene focus in my eyes.
"You've worked hard, Wen Chen," she said softly. "I can feel your energy… different than before. You're nearing a threshold."
"I know, Mother," I replied calmly. "Stage 1 is complete. Now I refine to prepare for Stage 2."
Wen Yiran, my sister, stepped closer, smiling. "You move with more precision now. Even Liu Wei notices it. Be careful, though—strength without control is dangerous."
"I will," I assured her.
Even Wen Tian, my younger brother, looked impressed. "Does this mean you're finally going to beat Liu Wei?"
I chuckled lightly. "Not yet. But once I refine and break through, we'll see."
As night fell, I remained seated with the Ancient Refining Pot, circulating Qi in increasingly refined patterns. My muscles relaxed under the smooth flow of energy, and my mind sharpened to a razor's edge. The panel glowed faintly:
Wen Chen — End of Day Panel:
Talent Level: Bronze-tier
Cultivation Level: Spirit Initiate Stage 1 / 5
Progress: 130% / 100%
Breakthrough potential nearing critical threshold
Tomorrow would be decisive. The Stage 1 → Stage 2 breakthrough was within reach, and with the Ancient Refining Pot aiding my refinement, I could finally take the next step. Rivals would notice a shift, and my family would witness the quiet power of disciplined growth.
The Chen Clan estate grew quiet under the flickering lanterns, but inside me, Qi flowed like a river on the verge of bursting its banks. Every breath, every heartbeat, every movement had been preparation. And soon, the first true leap in my cultivation journey would occur.