Chapter 4: First Steps on the Path of Cultivation
A Faint Spark of Power
Leon Voss sat cross-legged in the dim cavern, staring at the glowing notification before him.
[You have obtained: Void Requiem (Basic)]
[A foundational technique that refines Qi from darkness and destruction. Adaptable to host's potential.]
His heart pounded with anticipation. He had fought with nothing but his wits and a stolen skill. Now, he had something far greater—a real cultivation technique.
Leon inhaled deeply and focused.
The moment he accepted the technique, a surge of knowledge flooded his mind. It wasn't words or instructions, but rather instinct. He suddenly knew how to circulate Qi through his meridians, how to absorb energy from his surroundings, and how to refine it into something usable.
But there was one problem.
The Abyssal Ruins were lifeless.
There was no spiritual energy in the air, no rich essence to absorb. In normal conditions, a cultivator would refine Qi from nature—the wind, the earth, the sky.
But there is no sky down here.
That left only one option.
Leon turned his gaze toward the lingering black mist where the Wraithbound Guardian had perished. Even now, remnants of its dark essence hovered in the air, twisting and flickering like dying embers.
The Void Requiem technique specialized in absorbing energy from destruction.
Leon smirked. "Then let's see if it works."
First Cultivation
Closing his eyes, Leon slowed his breathing, following the instinctual path of Void Requiem. Instead of drawing from nature, he reached toward the residual death energy in the air.
At first, nothing happened. The mist resisted, as if repelled by his presence.
Leon forced his will upon it.
He visualized the energy bending to him, becoming part of him.
A heartbeat later, the black mist lurched toward him.
It coiled around his body, sinking into his pores, flooding his meridians. A cold, sharp pain shot through him—like frost spreading through his veins.
He clenched his jaw. No pain, no power.
The energy spiraled through him, following the paths of Void Requiem. His meridians, still fragile from their partial restoration, strained but held.
Then—a spark.
A tiny ember of Qi ignited within his core.
It was small. Weak. Barely enough to be considered cultivation.
But it was real.
Leon exhaled, opening his eyes.
A notification blinked before him.
[Cultivation Progress: Body Refinement Stage – Initial (1%)]
A slow smirk spread across his face.
He had taken his first step.
The Hunger for More
Leon stood, stretching his stiff muscles. The Void Requiem technique had done more than just refine Qi—it had also slightly strengthened his body. His wounds from the earlier battle felt less severe, and his limbs carried a faint, newfound vitality.
But it wasn't enough.
The strong devour the weak. That was the law of the cultivation world.
And right now, he was still weak.
He needed more power.
His gaze drifted toward the cavern's depths. Somewhere beyond this darkness, there were more dangers… and more opportunities.
He checked his status.
---
[Leon Voss]
Cultivation: Body Refinement – Initial (1%)
Physique: Shattered Meridian Body (Restoration: 20%)
System Points: 30
Skills:
Energy Drain (Basic) – Absorb life force to recover and strengthen.
Void Requiem (Basic) – Convert destruction into Qi.
---
Thirty System Points.
He recalled that the System Shop would unlock at Level 2.
Leon needed more quests, more fights, and more victories.
As if responding to his hunger, the System's voice echoed in his mind.
[New Quest: Trial of the Abyss]
Objective: Slay 5 Abyssal Beasts
Reward: 50 System Points + Skill Upgrade Option
Leon's smirk widened.
"Perfect."
The Roar of the Abyss
His path was set. But as he took his first step forward, the entire cavern shook.
A deep, guttural roar echoed through the Abyssal Ruins, sending dust and loose rocks tumbling from the ceiling. The sound was primal, filled with rage and hunger.
Leon's smirk faded.
Something else was lurking in the darkness.
And it had just woken up.
Without hesitation, he tightened his grip on the rusted sword and walked forward.
Power awaited.
And he would claim it—or die trying.