The first light of dawn broke over the jagged peaks of Blood Valley, illuminating the crimson-streaked terrain. Liang Feng sat cross-legged on a boulder, his body battered, muscles still screaming from yesterday's brutal battle. Yet, his Blood Qi hummed through him, alive, untamed, calling for more.
Master Shen's silhouette appeared on a ridge above him, staff in hand. "Today," he said, voice harsh as stone, "your training begins in earnest. Fighting beasts and absorbing their blood is only the first step. To survive in this world, you must learn to refine your Qi, to control the hunger, and to manipulate it beyond mere brute force. Are you ready?"
Liang Feng rose slowly, muscles stiff, and nodded. "I am ready."
The old master's eyes gleamed. "Good. Then we begin with the Blood and Bones Technique—a cultivation method that strengthens both body and soul by merging your life force with that of fallen enemies. It is painful. It is deadly. And it will test your limits."
Liang Feng's chest tightened. He had survived the first wave of beasts, but this… this was different. Master Shen gestured to a pit carved into the mountainside. Inside, skeletal remains of ancient beasts lay scattered, bones fused with remnants of old Blood Qi. The air was thick with the iron tang of dried blood, and the aura of countless slain creatures pulsed like a heartbeat.
"You will begin by absorbing the essence of these bones," Master Shen instructed. "Each fragment contains a spark of life force. Focus, and let your Qi merge with it. But take caution—the process is excruciating. Many have tried and failed. Their bodies were torn apart from within before their Qi could stabilize."
Liang Feng clenched his teeth, stepping into the pit. The stench was overpowering, but he forced himself to inhale deeply. Closing his eyes, he placed his hands on the largest skeleton before him—a massive wolf-like beast, its fangs still sharp as steel.
"Focus… absorb… control…" Master Shen's voice echoed in his mind like a mantra.
At first, nothing happened. Then, like a spark igniting tinder, Liang Feng felt something stir. The Blood Qi inside him surged, drawn to the lingering life essence in the bones. Pain erupted in his chest, spreading down his arms and legs. His vision blurred, and crimson light exploded behind his eyelids. He screamed, a raw, guttural sound that reverberated through the valley.
"Endure it!" Master Shen barked. "Let the pain temper your body! Let the blood of the dead strengthen your soul!"
Liang Feng gritted his teeth, forcing his Qi to stabilize. He felt his blood boiling, muscles contracting uncontrollably, but he pushed further. Slowly, excruciatingly, the essence of the bones fused with his Blood Qi. His strength surged; his senses sharpened. The world around him seemed brighter, every shadow, every movement magnified.
Sweat poured from his body, mingling with the dust and dried blood of the pit. He could feel his heart pounding, not just in his chest, but through his entire being. The Blood Qi had not only strengthened his body—it had awakened something deeper, primal.
"You are progressing," Master Shen said, his voice a low rumble. "But this is only the beginning. Control the hunger, or it will consume you. The Blood Qi feeds on life, yes, but if your mind falters… it will destroy you. Remember that."
Liang Feng staggered from the pit, limbs trembling, body drenched in sweat, but a sense of exhilaration coursed through him. For the first time, he felt truly powerful, even if it came with a price.
"Tomorrow," Master Shen continued, "you will face both beasts and humans. Assassins sent by the Blood Warlords. Only by defeating them can you test the limits of your new strength. You will fight, bleed, and perhaps die—but if you survive, your Blood Qi will grow beyond anything you've imagined."
Liang Feng wiped the sweat and blood from his face. His chest heaved, and his eyes glinted red with determination. Pain was no longer an obstacle—it was fuel. Fear had vanished. Only power remained.
"Every drop of blood, every battle, every pain… it makes you stronger," he murmured. "I will endure it all. I will not be weak again."
Master Shen nodded silently. "Good. Tonight, rest. The Blood Qi requires balance. Your body must recover, but your soul… your soul must remain hungry. Only hunger drives strength. Only strength ensures survival. And remember… the world is watching. Your enemies are waiting."
As the sun dipped behind the peaks, Liang Feng sat atop a ridge, gazing at the distant valleys where the Blood Warlords' territory lay. He could feel his Qi burning hotter with every heartbeat, his body alive in ways it had never been before. The path ahead was littered with death, betrayal, and brutality—but he was ready.
The boy who had walked through fire and blood was no more. From the ashes, a warrior had risen—one whose name would soon be whispered in fear across valleys and mountains.
And in the shadows, the Blood Qi pulsed, waiting for the next drop of life to feed it…