The night was cool and crisp, the city wrapped in the silence of the hours when most slept. But Alice's eyes were wide open, her mind focused. After hours of studying the Dark Flame Cultivation Manual, she was ready to begin her journey.
She stood before the cracked mirror in her hideout, adjusting the black mask that concealed her face. The mask was simple, matte, and featureless—a perfect blend of shadows and anonymity. It was a symbol, a new identity. To the city, she would be just another nameless figure in the night.
Her breath was steady, and for the first time since she'd been reborn, she felt a sense of purpose.
Tonight, she would begin her cultivation.
The manual had explained the first steps clearly. Qi Condensation. The foundation. She had already sensed the faint stirrings of Qi within her body, but it was like a whisper—barely perceptible. Alice had to pull it in, focus it, mold it.
She found a corner of the room, where the dim light of a small lantern barely illuminated the floor. She sat cross-legged, breathing deeply and clearing her mind.
In… and out.
Her mind sharpened. The darkness that enveloped her seemed to thicken, responding to her presence, to the faint pulse of the Dark Element within her soul. The manual had warned her: darkness could consume those unprepared. But Alice had lived through far worse. She wasn't afraid.
She inhaled again, drawing in the air. It was thin, but she could feel the edges of something foreign—something wild—begin to pulse through her body. Energy. Her first taste of Qi.
The process was slow, meticulous. She could feel it filling her veins, moving sluggishly as her body rejected it. But with each breath, the energy adjusted. She focused on clearing her mind, on controlling the flow of energy, taming it like a wild beast.
Hours passed. Time seemed irrelevant. It was just her and the Qi.
By the time the first light of dawn crept through the cracks in the walls, Alice opened her eyes. There was a glimmer of triumph within them. She had done it. Her first step toward power.
Qi Condensation, Level 1.
She stood, feeling the surge of power within her. It wasn't much—not yet—but it was a start. The first stage was always the hardest. But now, the path ahead was clear.
A small weight lifted from her chest. Her mind felt sharper. Her senses more attuned to the world around her. The first taste of cultivation was addictive, and she wanted more.
But cultivation wasn't all about strength. To grow, she needed resources—books, pills, equipment. And she didn't have the luxury of waiting for opportunities to present themselves. Alice was no longer a helpless girl; she was an assassin, and she would hunt for the tools to survive.
Tonight, she would begin gathering those tools.
---
The underground market was a place of shadows and whispers, a labyrinth of stalls and secret alcoves hidden beneath the city's surface. It was where cultivators, merchants, and thieves alike gathered to trade resources, information, and forbidden goods. No one asked questions here. Everyone had something to hide.
Alice descended into the market under the cover of night. The entrance was hidden in the alley of an old tavern, a narrow passageway that led into the depths of the city's underbelly. The smell of incense, sweat, and old stone filled the air as she passed through the threshold, the dim light of lanterns casting long, flickering shadows along the walls.
She walked with purpose, keeping her head down. Her black mask hid her identity, and her cloak wrapped tightly around her form, blending her into the darkness. No one looked at her twice. This was a place where appearances didn't matter—only what you could offer.
Alice's steps echoed softly against the stone floors as she navigated the maze of stalls. Her hand brushed against her pouch, feeling the cold weight of the 100 Tier 1 Spirit Stones she had saved. It wasn't much, but it would be enough to make a start.
The market was a mixture of open-air booths and hidden alcoves where shady deals took place. Alice passed by stalls that offered everything from cheap Qi-enhancing pills to low-tier weapons and formation scrolls. But she wasn't interested in those. Not yet.
She knew exactly where she needed to go.
At the far end of the market, past a row of shady figures huddled in corners, was a small, inconspicuous stall. A lone figure stood behind it, shrouded in a dark hood. The air around them felt different—a quiet, almost oppressive aura that made Alice pause for a moment before approaching.
The figure looked up as Alice approached, their eyes gleaming beneath the shadow of their hood. There was an unsettling calm about them.
"Looking for something?" the figure asked, their voice smooth but cold.
Alice nodded slowly, her voice a soft whisper. "I need resources. Something to help me grow."
The figure's lips curled slightly. "You've come to the right place. I deal in rare items—books, pills, and... techniques. But they don't come cheap."
"I have Spirit Stones," Alice said, her tone firm. "100 Tier 1."
The figure's eyes flickered, their gaze calculating. "It's a start, but not enough for anything of real value. You'll need more if you want to reach Tier 3 or higher. But… for someone like you, I could offer something interesting."
They reached beneath the stall, pulling out a small, worn book. The cover was ancient, with symbols Alice didn't immediately recognize. The figure slid it across the counter toward her.
"This is a low-tier technique for controlling the flow of Qi within your body," the figure said. "It'll help stabilize your cultivation, especially in the early stages. It's worth more than your 100 Spirit Stones, but I'll give it to you for the right reasons."
Alice didn't hesitate. She picked up the book and examined it. "How much for pills to speed up cultivation?"
"Speed comes with a price," the figure replied. "But I can sell you a few Tier 1 Qi Pills. They'll give you a boost, but they're not reliable in the long run."
Alice placed the 100 Spirit Stones on the counter without hesitation. The figure accepted them, sliding the book and a few small vials of pills toward her.
With her prize in hand, Alice nodded. "Thank you."
The figure watched her leave, their smile lingering for a moment before vanishing back into the shadows.
As Alice exited the underground market, the weight of the book in her hands felt heavier than before. She now had a technique to enhance her cultivation and pills to help her grow. But this was only the beginning. There was much more to do—and she wouldn't stop until she had the power to take control of her destiny.