Alex blinked rapidly as the rush of power settled into his legs.
"Woah… this feels unreal," he whispered.
The wind brushed through the trees of Dead Man Forest, carrying with it a cold breeze that made Alex shiver. Every shadow between the ancient trunks felt alive, watching his every move.
Just as he took another step—
[Ding]
[Steps taken: 2]
[Total speed: 2]
He felt the power increase again. His body felt lighter, springier, almost unreal.
"Does… does this stack forever?" he asked.
The system's voice returned, slightly smug as usual.
[Of course it stacks. Anything and Everything System means anything can become a gain. Steps give speed. Talking gives charm. Eating gives vitality. Thinking gives enlightenment. You get the idea.]
"Wait— talking gives charm?"
[Yes. And asking questions gives intelligence.]
"Oh—"
[Intelligence +1]
Alex froze.
"…That was way too easy."
[Be grateful, kid. Starter benefits are always generous. But don't get cocky — it won't stay this easy forever.]
He swallowed. "Okay… okay. So what do I do now? Should I move? Explore? Try out the other systems?"
[First, open your Stats again.]
"Interface."
A translucent blue panel appeared.
[Name: Alex]
Strength: 1
Agility: 1
Dexterity: 1
Physique: 1
Intelligence: 2
Enlightenment: 1
Spirit: 1
Speed: 2 (temporary boost based on steps)
Systems Unlocked: 3
— Anything & Everything System
— Sign-In System
— Roulette System
"Nothing really changed except intelligence," Alex muttered.
**[Kid, your stats are garbage. Even a newborn spirit deer could smack you to death. You need cultivation.]
Alex perked up. "Cultivation… you mean like in the novels?"
[Yes. Specifically, your world uses the following path:
Qi Gathering → Qi Refining → Qi Core Formation → Foundation Establishing → Core Building → Golden Core.]
Golden Core? That sounded strong.
"How many stages does each have?"
[Each stage has 10 small realms:
— Low (1–3)
— Mid (4–6)
— High (7–9)
— Perfected (10th stage).]
"And Golden Core has… rarities?"
[Nine. Every rarity adds a new color to the core. A nine-colored Golden Core is legendary — almost impossible.]
Alex's eyes widened. "So… how do I start?"
The system suddenly projected a faint green arrow pointing deeper into the forest.
[Follow that direction. Your first opportunity lies ahead.]
"That doesn't sound dangerous at all," Alex muttered sarcastically.
[Dangerous? This is Dead Man Forest, kid. Everything is dangerous.
Now move — you're wasting daylight.]
Alex took a breath, nodded, and walked forward.
[Steps taken: 3 → Speed +1]
[Steps taken: 4 → Speed +1]
[Steps taken: 5 → Speed +1]
The forest ground crunched beneath his bare feet. His body was frail, thin, small… but the growing power made each step easier.
After several minutes, he reached a small clearing.
At the center lay a glowing, marble-sized orb pulsing with milky-white mist.
"Is that…?"
[A Qi Gathering Orb. Enough pure Qi to push you into Qi Gathering Stage 1 instantly.]
Alex's heartbeat quickened.
"So if I absorb it… I start cultivating?"
[Correct. But be prepared — pain is inevitable.]
Alex hesitated only a moment.
Then he reached out and placed his hand on the orb.
The world exploded.
White Qi surged up his arm like fire and ice at the same time, tearing through his blood, flooding his meridians, ripping through blocked pathways he didn't know he had.
"AGHHH—!!"
He fell to his knees, teeth clenched, sweat pouring down his face.
The orb shrank rapidly as it poured its energy into him—
[Ding!]
[Host has begun the path of cultivation]
[Breaking through to Qi Gathering Stage 1 (Low Stage: First Realm)]
[Strength +2]
[Physique +2]
[Spirit +1]
The pain abruptly vanished.
Alex collapsed forward, panting for air.
"…That… was insane…"
He slowly stood, stunned by how much lighter, stronger, and clearer his body now felt.
His senses expanded.
He could hear insects under leaves.
He could sense faint Qi drifting through the breeze.
"This… this feels amazing…"
The system let out a proud hum.
[Congratulations, kid. You've taken your first real step.]
Alex clenched his fists with determination.
"Then let's take the second step."