The next morning, Emberleaf Village was bathed in the soft light of dawn. Mist hung low over the fields, dew clinging to the grass. Ashen joined the beginner training group, a mix of boys and girls his age, all bustling with youthful energy. The air smelled of earth, sweat, and spirit herbs from the outskirts.
Instructor Bram, a burly cultivator with thick arms and a stern expression, paced in front of them. "You may have spirit roots—weak or strong—but without a trained body, cultivation will destroy you. Today, you will start with the basics: stances, breathing, and physical conditioning."
Ashen's body shivered with anticipation. His weak muscles protested at first, every movement a reminder of his malnourished state. Legs trembled, lungs burned, sweat poured freely. But the ember within his dantian flickered brighter with each push, nudging him forward.
[Effort Detected: Ember Points +2][Minor Tissue Recovery Activated][Root of Persistence Bonus Applied]
Orin sneered from the side. "Trying too hard? You'll collapse before the sun reaches noon."
Ashen said nothing, letting his focus deepen. Every stance, every controlled breath, was a step toward strengthening his body, opening blocked meridians, and improving his stamina. Other trainees collapsed one by one, but Ashen endured. The ember inside him pulsed steadily, warming his limbs and easing his fatigue.
Instructor Bram paused, observing the boy. "Huh… the weakest one lasted the longest," he muttered. Orin flushed red with disbelief, unable to hide his shock.
By the afternoon, Ashen had endured hours of repetitive strikes, stance holding, and footwork drills. His arms ached, his back burned, yet he continued.
[Daily Challenge Added]Perform 50 Basic Strikes (0/50)
He found a quiet corner, positioning himself against a worn wooden stump. Strike after strike, sweat dripping into his eyes, Ashen felt each motion refine his form. By the 50th strike, his arms were numb, muscles trembling.
[Task Complete][Reward: +1 Minor Meridian Flow]
Instructor Bram approached him, a faint smile breaking his stern face. "You… might not be as weak as people think."
Ashen bowed politely. "Your guidance has helped, Instructor."
Bram snorted, shaking his head. "I only taught you the basics. The rest… you're doing yourself. But the boy's persistence… unusual." He walked away, leaving Ashen to his own devices.
That evening, Ashen ventured to the outskirts of the village, carrying a small basket. Spirit herbs were needed, not just for medicinal use, but as small coins of trade in the village market. The forest was quiet, bathed in the orange glow of sunset. Every step was careful; even the smallest sound might reveal a lurking threat.
[New Feature Detected: Herb Gathering Bonus]→ Extra Ember Points gained from survival and resource collection.
He spotted a Moonleaf Blossom first, its faint blue glow shimmering near a moss-covered rock. Carefully, he plucked it, placing it in his basket. Red-vein Root came next, buried shallowly under a small mound. Digging carefully, Ashen retrieved it.
The last herb, Silverdew Sprout, was rarer, growing near shaded rocks. He crept toward it, aware of every rustle of leaves, every shift in the breeze. Just as he reached for it, a snapping branch echoed behind him.
A Forest Razorboar emerged, tusks gleaming, eyes red with hunger. Rank-0, weak for cultivators, but deadly for ordinary villagers.
Ashen's heart raced. No weapons, no strength—yet instinct guided him. He dodged, rolled, and grabbed a fallen branch. Ember Pulse surged within him.
[Danger Level: High][Suggested Action: Use Ember Pulse or Evade]
He threw a rock at the boar's eyes, but it blocked effortlessly. The boar charged, and Ashen darted toward a fallen tree. At the last second, he sidestepped—the boar slammed headfirst into the trunk.
CRAAACK!
Ashen seized the moment, driving the branch into the creature's eye. The boar screeched and thrashed before falling still. He collapsed beside it, chest heaving, vision blurred.
[Combat Encounter Completed][Ember Root absorbs ambient energy from danger experienced][Ember Root Level: 2 → 3][Minor Meridian Strengthening Achieved]
Breathing heavily, Ashen retrieved the Silverdew Sprout and placed it in the basket.
[3/3 Spirit Herbs Gathered][Task Complete]
He returned to the village, exhaustion weighing on him, but the ember inside glowed stronger. Villagers stared at the fallen boar he dragged behind him, murmuring in disbelief. Orin gaped.
Instructor Bram approached quietly. "You hide your talent well, Ashen. Your foundation… it's solid. Stronger than most beginners."
Ashen bowed. "Your guidance has helped."
Bram's eyes narrowed. "The ember you awakened… it is unusual. This root may bring attention you cannot yet face."
Ashen's mind churned. The Ember Root pulsed warmly, a flicker of defiance against any who might come for him.
[Daily Challenge Rewards Applied][Ember Points: +12]
He meditated that night, feeling the ember pulse through his newly opened meridians. Every breath, every heartbeat, carried energy through his body. His path had just begun, but the first trials of sweat, ember, and determination had already forged a stronger foundation.