The sun filtered weakly through the canopy of the Magic Beast Mountain Range, casting dappled light over a secluded clearing surrounded by tall cliffs and winding vines. It was a quiet place—untouched by beasts or men.
Xiao Feng sat cross-legged on a flat stone at its center, eyes closed, breathing slow and deep. A faint current of wind spiraled gently around him, tugging at his clothes and brushing his hair like an unseen guardian.
He had hunted, trained, and prepared long enough.
Now, the time had come.
He opened his system panel with a thought.
> Current Cultivation: Peak 9-Star Dou Zhe
Energy Points: 5,314,500
Target: Dou Shi Breakthrough
He navigated to the Pill Section again.
> Item: Dou Shi Advancement Pill (Peak 3rd Tier)
Effect: Assists in breaking through the barrier between Dou Zhe and Dou Shi. Increases chance of success and protects meridians during Dou Qi transformation.
Cost: 38,000 EP
Purchase Confirmed.
Energy Points Remaining: 5,276,500
Xiao Feng retrieved the pill—a jade-like sphere that shimmered with condensed wind energy. He swallowed it, and within moments, the world around him seemed to still.
Then—
BOOM!
The Dou Qi in his body surged, no longer content to flow like vapor. It pressed outward, struggling to break free of its gaseous form. His veins throbbed with heat, his meridians trembling under the pressure.
But Xiao Feng remained calm.
He activated the Wind God's Scripture, and the energy began to spiral inwards. The violent storm within his core turned into a cyclone of refinement, compressing and condensing.
Moments stretched.
His breath turned shallow. His body tensed.
Then—SNAP!
The wall shattered.
His Dou Qi, once like mist, began to liquefy, condensing into a shining, dense essence that flooded his meridians with unimaginable clarity and force.
The transformation was complete.
> Breakthrough Successful!
Current Cultivation: 1-Star Dou Shi
New Ability Gained: Dou Qi Cloak
Dou Shi can wrap their body in Dou Qi, enhancing defense, speed, and attack power significantly.
As he opened his eyes, a soft wind stirred around him.
He raised his hand.
A faint, pale green cloak of Dou Qi shimmered into view, wrapping his body in a flowing aura. The wind affinity made it ripple like mist, nearly invisible.
> "So this is the power of a Dou Shi…"
His senses were sharper. His strength had reached a new level. The very forest around him seemed slower now—more manageable, more fragile.
> Daily Energy Points Increased: 100,000
Total Energy Points: 5,276,500
He stood up slowly, feeling the weight of his sword and body in perfect balance. The wind whispered across his Dou Qi cloak, and he felt its harmony with his power.
For the first time since arriving in this world, Xiao Feng felt the gap between himself and mediocrity widen completely.
He was no longer a struggling orphan.
He was a Dou Shi.