Cool night air brushed Krishna's face as he slipped back into the quiet disciple dorms. His steps were light, practiced. No one stirred. He reached his bunk, the worn straw mattress a familiar comfort after the cavern's cold stone. He settled in, eyes closed, but sleep felt distant. The roar of the Earth Dragonling still echoed in his mind, its vibrant energy now a part of him. He needed to process everything. The 'Beast's Fury' skill, the automatic loot collection, the mission for elemental crystals. This system was constantly pushing him, demanding more, but also providing immense power. His mind drifted to Anya. He had promised her a better life, and this was how he would get it. Every new skill, every level gained, brought them closer to that future. He had to be careful, though. The sect held secrets, and his system was the biggest one. Morning light filtered through the small window, painting stripes across the dirt floor. Disciples began to stir, groaning, stretching. Krishna sat up, feigning sleepiness. His gaze fell upon Viper, already meticulously folding his thin blanket. Viper looked up, a small smile touching his lips. "Shivam, you're back. Did you... feel better after yesterday?" His eyes, sharp even for a child, seemed to probe. Krishna knew the boy had noticed his increased cultivation. Viper wasn't stupid. "Much better, Boss," Krishna replied, stretching languidly. He let a hint of relief show on his face. "The fresh air cleared my head. And a good night's rest helped." He pushed a small amount of Qi, just enough to seem like a standard Mortal Level 4 or 5 disciple, a level Viper might expect from someone recently breaking through to a higher stage within Mortal level. "I could sense it," Viper said, stepping closer. His voice dropped conspiratorially. "Your Qi feels... denser. Did you have a breakthrough?" His eyes gleamed with curiosity, but also a genuine sense of camaraderie. He wanted to share in the excitement. Krishna nodded slowly, feigning a bit of surprise. "I did. Just a small one. I think I'm still in the Mortal ranks, though." He rubbed the back of his neck, appearing a little lost. "It's all quite new to me. How do cultivators even... move past the 'Mortal' stage? What comes next, after Mortal Level nine? Is there an 'Beginner' level?" Viper's chest puffed out slightly. This was a topic he knew well. He loved explaining things, especially to someone who seemed genuinely interested. "Of course, Shivam! The Mortal Realm isn't the end. It's just the beginning. Most outer disciples spend years, sometimes a decade, trying to perfect their Mortal Nine stage." He continued, his voice gaining speed. "After Mortal Level Nine, you enter the Beginner Realm. That's where things get really interesting! Your Qi transforms, becomes more refined. You gain access to more complex techniques, and your physical body strengthens exponentially. Advanced cultivators can easily take on a dozen Mortal Nine practitioners!" Krishna listened intently, absorbing the information. Viper's explanation confirmed his own system's levels, albeit with different terminology. "So, it's a huge leap, then? How does one make that jump? Is it just more cultivation, more Qi?" He knew the answer, or at least a part of it, but he needed Viper's perspective for context. "It's more than just Qi, Shivam," Viper explained with an air of sagely wisdom beyond his years. "It's about comprehension. About understanding the flow of Qi, the essence of the world. Many people get stuck at Mortal Nine because they lack that understanding. They cultivate diligently, but their minds aren't ready for the next stage. Often, pills are required, powerful elixirs that help temper the body and spirit, preparing it for the Beginner Realm." Pills. Krishna remembered the system mentioning them. The Earth Dragonling had given him a significant boost, but to truly break through, he knew he'd need more than just raw Qi. The system's 'Level-Up Pills' were a tempting thought, but he needed to craft them himself, which meant alchemy. "Pills, huh?" Krishna mused aloud. "That sounds... expensive. And difficult to make." He watched Viper's reaction, gauging his knowledge. Viper was a fount of information, even if he didn't realize it. "Very expensive!" Viper confirmed, nodding vigorously. "Only inner disciples or elders can afford them regularly. And making them? That's the art of alchemy. It requires special furnaces, rare ingredients, and immense skill. Only a handful of alchemists exist in our entire sect, and they're all elders. One day, I hope to learn it myself." Krishna's mind raced. Alchemy. He had the 'Alchemy Mastery' skill. He just needed the tools. The perfect segway. He needed an alchemy furnace. He needed to earn points. --- Later that day, after his meager breakfast, Krishna found a quiet spot near the training grounds, observing the other disciples. He focused inward, meditating. The Qi from the Earth Dragonling surged through his meridians, restless. It was pushing against a barrier, demanding release. He consumed a few of the low-grade Qi replenishing pills he'd looted from previous encounters. They were simple, barely effective for his current state, but they added to the overall energy. His internal vision showed a vibrant, swirling vortex of energy at his core, vibrating with immense power. Slowly, methodically, he guided the Qi. He recalled Viper's words about comprehension. It wasn't just about quantity, but quality. He tried to understand the essence of the Qi, to mold it, refine it. The system's 'Cultivation Mastery' skill helped, guiding his internal processes, showing him the optimal pathways. A faint crack resounded within him, not physical, but energetic. The barrier shimmered, then fractured. Golden light erupted from his core, spreading throughout his entire being. His muscles twitched, his bones creaked, reforming, strengthening. A profound sense of power flooded him, a warmth that settled deep in his bones. [DING! Congratulations! You have successfully broken through to Beginner Level 1!] The system notification flashed, brilliant and silent in his mind. A wave of exhilaration washed over him. He had done it. He was no longer just a Mortal. He was Advanced. The path to true strength, to protecting Anya, had just widened significantly. His perception sharpened. The rustle of leaves, the distant shouts of training disciples, the scent of damp earth—everything became clearer, more vivid. His physical senses had heightened, his control over Qi more absolute. He felt like a new person, stronger, faster, more aware. He opened his eyes, a calm confidence settling over him. He stood up, testing his new body. Every movement felt fluid, powerful. He could feel the Qi coursing beneath his skin, ready to obey his command. This was just the beginning. The feeling was intoxicating. After a while, Krishna sought out Viper again. He found the boy diligently practicing a basic sword form, his small body moving with surprising precision. Viper paused, seeing Krishna approach, a curious glint in his eyes. "Shivam!" he greeted, wiping sweat from his brow. "Feeling even better now? You look... different." Krishna offered a casual smile. "I feel excellent. Boss, you mentioned alchemy earlier. About needing special furnaces and rare ingredients. I've been thinking... if I wanted to try my hand at it, purely out of curiosity, what would an alchemy furnace even cost? And speaking of costs, you also mentioned 'points' in the sect. How exactly does one earn those points? Are they used like money here?" [DING! World Notification: The Age of Qi has begun. Prepare for significant changes. New opportunities and dangers await the awakened. All cultivation paths now face accelerated evolution. Seek the truth. Survive. Conquer.] {"Level rank (Low-Mid-High-Peak)" "Body transforming stage (Low-Mid-High-Peak)" "Soul tempering cultivation (Low-Mid-High-Peak-Perfect)" "Cultivation technique (Low-Mid-High-Peak)" "Pill Grade (Low-Mid-High-Peak)" "Herb grade (Low-Mid-High-Peak)" "Treasure (Low-Mid-High-Peak)" "Weapon (Low-Mid-High-Peak)" "War beast (Low-Mid-High-Peak)" "Sect rank (Low-Mid-High-Peak)" "Clan rank (Low-Mid-High-Peak)" "Empire rank (Low-Mid-High-Peak)"}

Chapter 18: The Beginner level