The morning air was crisp and carried the faint smell of wet asphalt from the night's rain. Liang Chen stepped out of his apartment, a small satchel of pills slung over his shoulder. Today, like every day, he would deliver them to neighbors and shopkeepers, earn a little money, and quietly train his body and soul in the gaps of his ordinary life.
School was uneventful. Teachers lectured, classmates whispered, and Liang Chen moved through the day like any other student — polite, calm, unremarkable. Yet beneath his skin, something had shifted.
Yesterday, during his late-night meditation, he had felt the first flicker of true spiritual energy in his body. It had been faint — a spark in his dantian that pulsed softly, almost shyly, but it had responded to focus. Now, walking to school, he tested it subtly.
A breath in.
A breath out.
Fingers lightly pressing the desk as he waited for the teacher to finish instructions. He allowed the faint pulse of energy to flow through his veins, just a whisper, barely perceptible.
Then it happened.
A sudden sharp awareness. His senses sharpened slightly — the distant hum of the projector, the faint creak of floorboards, even the soft rustle of a page turning two rows ahead. His heart skipped a beat. The pulse in his Energy Sea responded, not like yesterday, but stronger, warmer, almost tangible.
Liang Chen blinked, careful not to draw attention. This is it… the first real sign.
After school, he returned to the alley where he had set up his small alchemy station.
Herbs, powders, and vials waited neatly, as always. He started preparing the next batch of pills, grinding with precision. But now, his focus was sharper. The energy pulsing through him made every movement slightly easier, smoother. His body responded with subtle strength and agility.
He experimented quietly, combining ingredients he had memorized from his past life. The effects weren't dramatic yet — a faint increase in stamina, slightly quicker reflexes — but they were noticeable. He tested them cautiously on himself, walking, bending, stretching. Step by step… small, but real progress.
A soft knock at the alley door drew his attention. It was the girl he had helped a few days ago, holding a small basket.
"Liang Chen… I brought some vegetables for your mother," she said softly, avoiding his gaze.
He accepted the basket with a nod. "Thank you. That was thoughtful of you."
She hesitated. "I… my family is struggling. I know it's not much, but I wanted to help."
Liang Chen smiled faintly, a small warmth in his chest. Kindness is part of strength. Strength isn't just power—it's responsibility, discipline, and care.
"I'll make sure these help," he said simply, placing the basket near the table. "And if you ever need anything… small medicines, herbs, or even help with chores, just ask."
Her eyes softened slightly, and she left with a small wave. Liang Chen returned to his work, grinding and mixing. The energy within him pulsed gently, stronger than before, like a single ember catching in the wind.
By evening, he had sold the batch of pills to neighbors, earning enough to buy fresh herbs for tomorrow and a few small supplements to aid his body. Every coin, every motion, every drop of energy focus — they were bricks in the foundation he was building for himself.
As night fell and the city lights flickered outside, Liang Chen leaned back in his chair, gazing at the faint pulse in his dantian.
It was small. Almost insignificant to anyone else. But to him, it was proof. Proof that rebirth had given him a second chance. Proof that, step by step, he could grow stronger.
And one day, the ember would become a flame that no one could ignore.
Chapter Ending Quote:
"Even the faintest spark, if nurtured, will one day blaze into fire."