By IMERPUS RELUR
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Dust clung to every corner of the archive chamber. The scent of mold and stone filled Liang Chen's lungs as he sat cross-legged beneath the cracked mural, staring at the technique carved into the wall:
Enduring Flame Meditation.
He had traced the breathing method line by line, held each posture with discipline, followed the instructions down to his pulse.
Still, nothing stirred.
> No warmth.
No qi.
No path forward.
Because he had no spiritual root.
Then the voice echoed from deep within his mind.
> [System Notice: Rootless Cultivator Detected]
[Inventory: 1x Low-Grade Spirit Stone]
[Would you like to sacrifice this spirit stone to awaken a spiritual root?]
His pulse quickened.
He looked at the glowing stone in his palm—the only one he had.
He had no master. No background. No fate.
Only this one chance.
> "Yes."
The stone shattered in his grasp.
Crimson light burst into his chest, searing through his flesh like liquid fire. He doubled over, breath caught in his throat as heat burrowed toward his dantian.
> [Compatible Cultivation Technique Detected: Enduring Flame Meditation]
[Element Suggested: Fire]
[Available Spiritual Root Types:]
Fire (Recommended)
Water
Earth
Wind
Lightning
> "Fire," he gasped.
> [Confirmed. Awakening Low-Grade Fire Root…]
The pain peaked, then vanished.
Warmth bloomed at the core of his being. For the first time, he felt it—a connection to qi. The technique on the wall no longer resisted him. It welcomed him.
He began to breathe.
Slow. Measured. Intentional.
The flame-aspected qi in the air drifted toward him, pulled gently into his newly awakened root.
> [Realm Achieved: Early Stage Qi Refining – First Level]
Liang Chen opened his eyes.
He was drenched in sweat. His body shook from exhaustion. But the path ahead had finally opened.
Not because of luck.
Not because of bloodline.
Because he forced it to open.