The disciples, their minds focused and their Qi surging, began to absorb the potent energy of the Qi Gathering Pills. A visible aura of Qi shimmered around each of them, the air thickening with their concentrated power. Sun-woo observed them with a keen eye, noting the subtle shifts in their expressions, the slight tremors in their bodies as they pushed past their limits.
The first breakthrough came like a silent explosion. A wave of energy erupted from Lin, the disciple known for his unwavering focus and meticulous technique. His body trembled, his breath hitched, and then, a serene calm settled over him. A faint, silver glow emanated from his fingertips.
[Disciple Lin has achieved the Awakening Sprout stage.]
[Attribute Acquired: Precision Surge.]
Lin opened his eyes, a look of quiet satisfaction on his face. He extended his hand, and a thin, silver line of energy shot forth, slicing through the air with pinpoint accuracy. "Precision Surge," he murmured, his voice laced with awe. "I can channel my Qi into precise, targeted strikes."
Next, it was Mei, the disciple with a natural affinity for movement and a sharp, intuitive mind. Her breakthrough was marked by a burst of vibrant green energy, swirling around her like a whirlwind.
[Disciple Mei has achieved the Awakening Sprout stage.]
[Attribute Acquired: Swiftwind Step.]
Mei rose to her feet, her movements fluid and graceful. She took a step, and a gust of wind propelled her forward, blurring her form. "Swiftwind Step," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "I can move with incredible speed and agility."
Then came Jian, the eldest at 15 years old, the disciple with a naturally strong physique and a raw, untamed power. His breakthrough was a thunderous roar, a surge of raw energy that shook the very ground beneath them.
[Disciple Jian has achieved the Awakening Sprout stage.]
[Attribute Acquired: Seismic Impact.]
Jian slammed his fist into the ground, and a shockwave rippled outwards, cracking the earth. "Seismic Impact," he bellowed, his voice filled with power. "I can channel my Qi into devastating, earth-shattering blows."
One by one, the disciples broke through, each manifesting a unique attribute that reflected their individual strengths:
* Disciple Hua: [Attribute Acquired: Ironclad Resolve.] - A golden aura surrounded her, enhancing her already impressive defenses, making her nearly impervious to harm.
* Disciple Wei: [Attribute Acquired: Shadow Perception.] - His eyes glowed with a faint purple light, allowing him to perceive the slightest movements and intentions of his opponents.
* Disciple Li: [Attribute Acquired: Flowing Current.] - A blue aura surrounded her, allowing her to manipulate her Qi with incredible fluidity, adapting to any situation.
* Disciple Song: [Attribute Acquired: Burning Heart.] - A red aura surrounded him, causing his strikes to burn with intense heat, igniting anything they touched.
* Disciple Zhu: [Attribute Acquired: Echoing Strike.] - His strikes resonated with a powerful echo, doubling their impact and creating aftershocks.
* Disciple Bo, the youngest at 8 years old: [Attribute Acquired: Mind's Eye.] - He could predict his opponent's moves, allowing him to dodge and counter with uncanny accuracy.
Sun-woo watched them, his heart swelling with pride. They were no longer just disciples; they were warriors, each possessing a unique and formidable power. The Black Viper Gang would soon learn that they had made a grave mistake.
The disciples, their minds focused and their Qi surging, began to absorb the potent energy of the Qi Gathering Pills. A visible aura of Qi shimmered around each of them, the air thickening with their concentrated power.
Sun-woo observed them with a keen eye, noting the subtle shifts in their expressions, the slight tremors in their bodies as they pushed past their limits.
Breakthroughs rippled through the group, each disciple manifesting a unique and powerful attribute.
Finally, only Min Jun, Sun-woo's first disciple, remained in meditation.
He was the embodiment of unwavering resolve and determination, the first to join Sun-woo, and the most loyal disciple. Now, as the last to break through, a palpable tension filled the air.
A surge of resilient, shimmering Qi began to emanate from Min-Jun, a tangible manifestation of his indomitable will. The air around him seemed to hum with a tireless energy. Then, a profound stillness settled, a sense of absolute endurance and relentless determination.
[Disciple Min Jun has achieved the Awakening Sprout stage.]
[Attribute Acquired: Enduring Resolve.]
Min Jun opened his eyes, and a wave of resolute calm washed over his face. He looked at his hands, his gaze unwavering. "Enduring Resolve," he whispered, his voice laced with firm conviction.
He demonstrated his new ability, his movements solid and tireless. As long as his determination remained strong, his stamina would not fail him. The surrounding Qi would subtly aid in his recovery, replenishing his reserves. However, the longer he pushed his limits, the more exhausted he would become after the fight concluded. He could increase the duration of this tireless state by strengthening his body and advancing his cultivation realm.
It was an ability that emphasized relentless persistence and unwavering stamina, allowing him to fight far beyond his perceived limits.
Sun-woo's eyes widened. Enduring Resolve was a powerful and formidable attribute, a testament to Min Jun's unbreakable spirit and his unwavering loyalty. It was a potent tool, one that would make him an unyielding force in any battle.
He looked at his ten disciples, now all Awakening Sprout cultivators, each with their own unique and formidable abilities. They were ready. They were a force to be reckoned with.
The Black Viper Gang was about to face a storm unlike any they had ever encountered.
Suddenly, a notification flashed in Sun-woo's vision.
[Milestone Reached: Ten Disciples Achieved Awakening Sprout Stage.]
[Reward: Minor Realm Breakthrough Pill.]
[Description: This pill allows the user to ascend one minor realm within their current cultivation stage. It can also elevate an unranked individual to the initial stage of the Awakening Sprout realm.]
Sun-woo's eyes widened. A breakthrough pill! This was an incredibly valuable reward, a chance to significantly enhance his own cultivation. He immediately decided to use the pill on himself.
"Disciples," he announced, his voice calm but firm, "I will now undergo a brief cultivation session. Please remain quiet and observe."
He sat down in a meditative posture, the breakthrough pill resting in his palm. The disciples, their curiosity piqued, gathered around him, their eyes filled with anticipation. They had never seen their sect master cultivate before, and they were eager to witness his power.
Sun-woo closed his eyes, his mind focusing on the pill's energy. He swallowed the pill, and a surge of potent Qi erupted within him, coursing through his meridians, pushing him towards the next level. A wave of warmth spread through his body, his Qi swirling and condensing.
As he broke through, a strange sensation washed over him. The world around him seemed to shift, to become… different. He opened his eyes, and a gasp escaped his lips.
Everything around him was now overlaid with intricate lines of code, a complex network of data streams and logical pathways. The world was no longer just a collection of physical objects; it was a program, a system that could be analyzed and manipulated.
[Attribute Acquired: Code Vision.]
Sun-woo realized that he could now "debug" the world around him, identifying and resolving flaws in the underlying code. This translated into an uncanny ability to predict and counter attacks, to optimize his movements and techniques, and to understand the inner workings of any system, including cultivation techniques.
He could even personalize techniques for himself, or for others, by rewriting the code to suit their individual needs. He could see the flaws in his own techniques, and perfect them.
He smiled. This was a game-changer. The Black Viper Gang would soon learn that they were facing not just a powerful cultivator, but a master of the very fabric of reality.