Jin Chi had just returned home, his bag still hanging loosely from his shoulder, when his father suddenly appeared from behind the couch — grinning like a kid who'd just pulled off the world's greatest prank.
"Surprise!!" his father shouted, holding something behind his back.
Chi blinked. What is he doing now?
"What is it?" he asked cautiously.
His father puffed up proudly and revealed a thin, worn-looking book wrapped in old cloth.
"Your dad got you a martial arts manual!"
For a second, Jin Chi froze. Then his eyes went wide.
"Really!? I love you, Dad!" he exclaimed, launching forward and hugging him tightly.
His father laughed and patted his back. "Aren't I the best dad ever?" he said, leaning down as if expecting a kiss on the cheek.
Chi stepped back immediately. "Don't push it," he said dryly, earning a hearty laugh.
He looked at the cover of the book.
Water Steps Movement (Basic) — the title shimmered faintly with blue light.
A strange sense of déjà vu washed over him.
Wait… I remember seeing this in a bookstore once… but I didn't buy it then.
Before he could think more, his father spoke again, his tone suddenly serious.
"You're a dual-type spiritual root, my son."
"Huh?" Chi blinked in confusion, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "How do you know that? What quality? What attributes? Hurry up and tell me, Dad!"
He tugged eagerly at his father's sleeve like a child begging for candy, his father's cheeks puffed out in impatience as he leaned Chi leaned forward, father's both hands still pressed against his cheeks.
His father chuckled and said, "You've got to be patient, my son — you know that."
Chi groaned, rolling his eyes dramatically. "You shouldn't have said anything about my spiritual roots if you were just going to act all mysterious like that," he muttered, trudging toward the backyard.
Before he could escape, his father swooped him up effortlessly. "Not so fast," he said with a grin. "Change your clothes and eat up before you try anything, young man."
Chi wriggled in protest. "Daaad—!"
But the older man just laughed, carrying him inside like a sack of rice.
After finishing dinner, Jin Chi followed his father out to the backyard. The night sky stretched endlessly above them, stars shimmering like scattered diamonds. The faint hum of crickets filled the quiet air.
His father smiled, his expression calm yet proud. "Alright, Jin. Sit down in the center of the yard — cross your legs in the lotus position. Tonight, I'll guide you to sense the Qi of the world."
Jin Chi's eyes widened slightly. "Really? We're starting now?"
His father chuckled softly. "Of course. The earlier you connect with the world's energy, the stronger your foundation will be."
Jin nodded eagerly and sat down in the middle of the soft grass. The ground was cool beneath him, and a gentle breeze brushed past, carrying the faint scent of dew and earth.
His father didn't immediately start instructing him. Instead, he sat quietly by the stone table nearby, his gaze soft but sharp — watching Jin carefully.
"Close your eyes," his father finally said. "Empty your thoughts. Don't try to find Qi — just… listen."
Jin did as told, closing his eyes slowly. At first, all he could hear were the usual sounds — rustling leaves, the whisper of wind, a dog barking faintly somewhere in the distance.
"Breathe," his father's voice came again — calm, steady, almost blending into the night. "Inhale… hold it… now exhale slowly. Let your breath fall into rhythm with the world around you."
Bit by bit, the noise of the world faded.
The air itself began to feel different — denser, alive.
It was faint at first, like mist swirling just beyond reach. Then, suddenly, Jin felt it — a soft current flowing around him, invisible but warm, pulsing with life.
His heart skipped a beat. "I… I can feel it," he whispered.
A gentle smile spread across his father's face. "Good. That's Qi — the lifeblood of the world. Every living thing breathes it, even the stars above and the soil below."
The moment lingered in silence — peaceful, profound.
Jin kept his eyes closed, his young face calm yet glowing with awe. For the first time, he wasn't just a child learning about cultivation — he was experiencing it.
"Good job, son," Haoran said softly, his voice full of pride.
For a moment, he simply watched Jin Chi — the faint glow of Qi still swirling gently around his small frame. Haoran's brows lifted slightly in surprise. He actually did it… that quickly?
A smile crept across his face, half disbelief, half joy. "Incredible… he sensed Qi on his very first try," he murmured under his breath.
Inside the house, Jin's mother — who had been reading quietly in her room — looked up from her book, sensing the faint shift in the air. The soft spiritual fluctuation reached her, and her eyes widened in surprise.
A gentle smile touched her lips. "That boy… he really is something," she whispered fondly, setting her book aside.
Back in the yard, Haoran patted Jin Chi's head. "You've done well. Rest now — we'll test your spiritual roots properly tomorrow."
Jin Chi nodded, still amazed by the lingering sensation of Qi flowing within him. For the first time since his rebirth, he truly felt connected to this world.
Chi lay quietly on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind buzzing with questions. What exactly is the difference between this and the Qi Foundation stage? he wondered, tracing imaginary patterns on the ceiling.
Before he could ponder further, a sudden flash of light made him jerk upright. A translucent window appeared in the middle of the room, hovering as if it had always belonged there.
Jin Chi flopped back onto his bed, staring at the glowing system window that had just appeared before him.
System Window:
Name: Jin Chi
Age: 9
Gender: Male
Height: 4'7"
Weight: 38 kg
Race / Lineage: Human / Special Clan (?)
Current Cultivation Level: None
Spiritual Roots Type: Dual-Type (Water(Extraordinary),???
Elemental Affinity: Water, Fire, Wind, etc.
Learned Skills: Basic meditation, hand-to-hand combat, minor techniques
Inventory / Items: None
"Well… that's… honest," Jin Chi muttered, letting out a small sigh. "I really am just your average run of the mill cultivation protagonist aren't I?."
A part of him felt heavy — like destiny was waiting for him, but he was alone to face it.
He squinted at the system. "Wait… what does 'Special Clan?' mean?"
"It means you come from a unique family. Don't worry too much about it. You'll understand as you grow, it seemed like a family thing so I kept out of it" the system said, its tone surprisingly warm, almost like a mentor speaking to a child.
Jin Chi blinked. "…You can talk?"
"Yeah, of course I can," the system replied, sounding almost amused.
Jin Chi hesitated. "So… am I the main character here?"
"Ah, you think that because of me, right? Don't worry, you're important… but not the only one. There are more systems and surprises waiting for you," it said gently.
A wave of relief washed over him. Somehow, knowing he wasn't completely alone in this strange world made his chest lighter.
"And… what does 'Extraordinary' mean for my spiritual roots?"
"Ah, yes. Spiritual roots have qualities based on potential and natural affinity," the system explained. "From lowest to highest: Broken, Poor, Normal, Strong, Pure, Extraordinary, Perfect, Null, Heavenly. Yours is extraordinary — rare, but still far from the ultimate potential. With training, elixirs, and missions, you can refine them further."
Jin Chi's eyes lit up. "So… I can actually improve them?"
"Exactly. And I'll help you along the way," the system said warmly. "I'll give you missions, elixirs, guidance… sometimes even warnings. Treat me like a friend, not just a tool."
Jin Chi leaned back, feeling a spark of excitement. "Okay… um… who created you?"
"Ah… that's a story for later," the system said with a gentle pause. "Complete 500 main missions first, and I'll tell you everything. For now, just focus on growing stronger and learning. I'll be here every step of the way."
Jin Chi nodded, determination settling in. "So… you'll guide me through my life?"
"Yes. And I'll make sure you don't walk this path alone," it said.
He opened the other tabs in the system — Inventory, Skills, Attributes, Missions… everything was ready to track his progress.
For the first time, Jin Chi felt a rush of purpose. This wasn't just school or martial arts.henfelt that he was carving out his own path that truly belonged to him — and he wouldn't waste it.
Next chapter: first mission