The Astral Vein was endless—and for the first time, Karma felt truly small.
He stood at the edge of the ridge, the twin suns bathing the floating peaks in molten gold. Rivers of light flowed between mountains like veins of a living god. The very air shimmered with qi so pure that breathing alone made his dantian hum.
"This place…" he whispered, his voice trembling with awe. "It's like standing inside a dream."
A small, panicked voice echoed in his mind: Host's heart rate increased by 72%! You big dummy, you're going to strain your meridians just gaping at the scenery!
Karma chuckled softly. "Even you can't ruin the view this time, Mira."
Hmph! Just trying to protect you! she pouted internally.
But before the system could reply, the world changed. The light dimmed. The air grew heavy, thick with a violence that made the hairs on his arms stand up. A soundless vibration passed through his bones, shaking his core.
Warning! Massive spiritual disturbance detected—source unknown! Get out of there, now! Run! Her voice was sharp with fear.
Karma spun around. Elder Yuan was already forming seals, his face grim. The other disciples were tensing in confusion. "Wait, what's happening?" he shouted.
Then came the blast. A pillar of energy cut through the clouds like the blade of a god. It struck somewhere beyond their sight, yet the aftershock alone tore through the heavens.
The first wave hit. The mountain buckled. The sky screamed.
Karma's body lifted from the ground, his lungs crushed by invisible pressure. He coughed blood as Renji's barrier shattered beside him. Elder Yuan's runic wall rose, but even that mighty defense cracked and splintered.
"Mira!" Karma gasped. "Help me!"
It's too strong! she wailed. Fatal impact is imminent! My defensive protocols are useless at your pathetic little realm! You're going to die!
His pulse raced. The others were running, screaming. He saw Su Liana's terrified face before the second, greater wave arrived.
This one was worse.
The shockwave punched through Yuan's barrier like paper. The pressure slammed into Karma's chest—he felt his ribs bend, his organs twist. The world tilted, and for an instant, he knew—he was going to die.
Then, a thought surfaced through the haze, searingly bright.
Devour.
His eyes widened. "That's right…" It was reckless, but dying without trying was worse.
He crossed his legs mid-air, drew every shred of willpower he had, and screamed hoarsely, "Devour!"
Black light erupted from his body like a whirlpool. The incoming energy met it—fought it—then began to twist and flow into him.
The pain was indescribable. His meridians flared like molten wires, his veins burned as though lightning coursed through them. The raw, destructive energy of the shockwave poured into him—too much, far too much.
Stop it, please! Mira sobbed. Qi overload! Your body integrity is at 12%! You're ripping yourself apart!
"He can't—stop now!" Karma screamed, forcing the skill wider. The air around him warped, the blast's edge bending, fragmenting, and vanishing into the black vortex of his qi sea.
Then came the backlash. The remaining energy of the shockwave, combined with the unstable qi he'd just absorbed, threw him like a leaf in a storm. He tumbled through the air for what felt like forever, until darkness took everything. The last thing he remembered was slamming into something massive and unyielding—a tree branch thicker than a wall—and then falling into silence.
Scattered in the Wilds
Drip.
Something cold touched his cheek. Karma groaned, eyes flickering open. For a moment, he didn't remember where he was. His body ached from head to toe. Every breath stabbed at his ribs.
He lay on a bed of moss beneath a colossal tree. Shafts of light filtered through the branches high above, painting the ground in shifting gold and emerald.
"Mira… report," he whispered, his voice dry.
Host is alive—barely. Her voice was relieved but still shaky. Multiple fractures, internal bleeding stabilized. You were out for 17 hours and 42 minutes. You should be vaporized, you know!
Karma managed a shaky smile. "So he beat the odds again."
Correction: You survived a 0.03% probability event. Your luck factor is truly terrifying.
Slowly, he forced himself upright. His muscles screamed, but he refused to rest. Sitting cross-legged, he closed his eyes and began circulating the pure qi of the Astral Vein. Hour by hour, the life-force thickened in the air, knitting his internal wounds. Devour's residue energy seeped into his veins, reforging what the shockwave had nearly destroyed.
When he finally opened his eyes, his vision was sharp again, his pulse steady.
He looked around. The land was deeply scarred—trees uprooted, mountains torn open. The battle between the Sky Serpent and the Molten Behemoth had clearly passed directly overhead. Yet the sky was finally calm.
"They're gone," Karma murmured. "His life is safe for now."
Not safe. Just quieter. Mira sounded cautious. Local spiritual signatures detected within 2 kilometers.
"Mira, level?"
Nearest targets—Golden Core and early Void Realm beasts. They are likely fleeing the major battle. Estimated threat: instant death. You are in the heart of a war zone, Host!
"Perfect," Karma muttered, swallowing hard. "So he's in the middle of a nest."
He crouched low, suppressing his presence. Rolling in the damp moss and coating himself in dirt and crushed leaves, he reduced his qi emission to 1%. He was just another small piece of debris.
Breakthrough in the Crossfire
Two days passed in a tense, nerve-wracking blur of hiding and running.
Karma avoided all beasts, until a Foundation Establishment–level Shadow Wolf caught his scent.
He had no choice. His heart raced, but instinct took over.
"Silent Flowing Steps!" he whispered, vanishing into motion.
The wolf pounced, jaws snapping—but he slid beneath it, channeling qi through his fists. "Iron Serpent Fists!"
The first strike cracked bone; the second shattered ribs. The beast howled, blood-qi exploding outward.
"Devour!"
Karma's hand shot forward, striking the wolf's chest. Black light burst forth, and the beast's vital qi was sucked into him, writhing, burning, and expanding his sea of qi. The wolf collapsed into ash.
Karma fell to his knees, gasping, but the pain was overwhelmed by a terrifying exhilaration.
You jumped to late-stage Qi Condensation! You go, Host! Mira cheered with a high-pitched excitement.
"That's… something." He smiled through the pain.
The next encounter came sooner—a Core Formation–realm Ironhide Ape. Karma didn't think; he simply acted.
"Azure Moon Cleave!"
A silver arc tore through the air. The ape staggered, roared—and charged again. Karma countered with his fists, following the rhythm of its breathing. Each strike rattled his arms, but he kept moving, every impact feeding Devour's ravenous hunger.
The ape fell with a final roar, its immense spirit light consumed.
Qi stabilization complete! The breakthrough barrier is melting! she exclaimed excitedly.
For the first time, Karma felt the Foundation Establishment barrier in his core thin, soften, and then break. A powerful surge of qi erupted within him, flooding his meridians. The pain was sharp, electric, exhilarating.
When it settled, the world felt clearer—sharper—as if every particle of air carried meaning. He had done it. In two days, through sheer desperation and his terrifying innate skill, he had crossed the threshold.
Night descended, and Karma sat beneath the massive tree that had saved his life. He took a deep breath, feeling the calm flow of qi in his dantian. It no longer burned—it sang.
Status update available, Host. Want to see your shiny new stats? Her voice was warm and proud.
"Yeah," he said, smiling faintly. "Let's see what he's become."
Ta-da! Mira announced, displaying the text with a flourish.
Status Window
Name: Karma Hi
Realm: Foundation Establishment – Early Stage (1st Layer)
Talent: Above Average (Upgradeable)
Comprehension: Profound Insight + (Enlightened Level)
(Devour – Major Attainment)
(Formations — Adept Peak)
Battle Sense: Natural (Enhanced)
Techniques:
Silent Flowing Steps – Advanced
Iron Serpent Fists – Intermediate
Azure Moon Cleave – Intermediate
Cultivation Mantra: Unknown Scripture
Karma stared at the glowing text, chest rising with quiet pride.
"Foundation Establishment…" he whispered. "He actually did it."
Guess Elder Yuan wasn't wrong about that luck factor after all! Now you just need to figure out where you are. What's the plan, Host?