Two days later.
The twins sat in their courtyard under the early morning sun.
The ancient manual rested between them.
Neither had slept much.
They had spent the entire night studying the cultivation method.
Matthew stretched his arms.
"Well… there's no point hesitating anymore."
Michael nodded.
"If it works, we become stronger."
"If it fails…"
Matthew shrugged.
"At least we tried."
They both sat cross-legged.
The manual described a very unusual cultivation formation.
Instead of meditating alone, the twins had to sit facing each other.
Their palms touching.
Their breathing synchronized.
Matthew spoke softly.
"Ready?"
Michael grinned.
"Let's do it."
They closed their eyes.
Slowly… they began circulating the breathing technique described in the manual.
At first nothing happened.
Just the faint sensation of spiritual energy flowing through their bodies.
But then—
A strange resonance appeared.
The moment their Qi began circulating in harmony, something unexpected happened.
Spiritual energy in the air began gathering rapidly around them.
Faster.
And faster.
Matthew gasped.
"Michael… the energy density is increasing!"
Michael struggled to remain focused.
"I know!"
Normally cultivators slowly absorb Qi from the air.
But the twins' technique worked differently.
It pulled energy toward them.
The courtyard wind began swirling.
Leaves lifted into the air.
Spirit energy condensed into visible streams of light.
Matthew suddenly realized something terrifying.
"This technique really requires a hundred times more Qi…"
Michael gritted his teeth.
"And we're only at the beginning!"
The pressure inside their meridians increased rapidly.
Pain spread through their bodies.
But neither of them stopped.
They continued circulating the energy.
Again.
And again.
Inside their minds…
The dragon spirit watched silently.
For millions of years it had searched for suitable vessels.
Now it finally saw hope.
The twins' bodies trembled.
Sweat poured down their faces.
But their Qi continued to grow stronger.
Stronger than any ordinary six-year-old cultivator should possess.
Matthew whispered through clenched teeth.
"We're almost there…"
Michael nodded weakly.
"Just a little more…"
Suddenly—
A loud CRACK echoed inside their bodies.
Both twins collapsed forward.
The spiritual energy instantly dispersed.
Silence returned to the courtyard.
Matthew slowly opened one eye.
"Well…"
Michael groaned.
"That hurt."
Matthew laughed weakly.
"At least we didn't explode."
Michael sat up.
"So… did it work?"
Matthew checked his meridians carefully.
Then his eyes widened.
"It… actually did."
Michael blinked.
"What?"
Matthew grinned.
"We just entered the first stage of Qi Gathering."
Michael stared at him.
Then both twins burst out laughing.
After all that pain…
They had succeeded.
But neither of them realized something important.
Although they had only reached the first stage…
The quality of their energy was completely different from ordinary Qi.
It was denser.
Stronger.
More stable.
It was the first trace of something far more powerful.
Origin Qi.
And far away…
Deep within the Demon Continent…
A pair of crimson eyes slowly opened.
Sensing something.
Something ancient.
Something dangerous.