The instant the golden light settled into his core,
Qi surged toward Lucian like a rising tide.
His meridians widened, stretching and adapting.
Bones crackled softly.
Muscles tightened and strengthened.
The dormant power that had unlocked moments earlier
now awakened completely.
A soft golden halo formed around him—
gentle, steady, and undeniably extraordinary.
Then—
BOOM.
His body shuddered.
First Stage of the Qi Initiation Realm.
BOOM.
Second Stage.
BOOM.
Third Stage.
Qi poured into him endlessly,
filling every corner of his body like water rushing into open gates.
Hours passed before the light finally faded.
Lucian opened his eyes.
The courtyard appeared sharper.
The world sounded clearer.
His body felt stronger than ever.
But pain followed right behind.
His back ached.
His legs were stiff.
His meridians throbbed with soreness.
His mind felt drained, hollowed out by the intense focus.
He exhaled softly.
"So this… is cultivation."
People imagined cultivation as simple—
sit, breathe, absorb Qi.
Reality was harsher.
Cultivation demanded intense focus.
Prolonged sitting strained the muscles.
Meridians grew sore from excessive Qi flow.
And the mind exhausted long before the Qi did.
It was harsher than the stories said.
Demanding.
Unforgiving.
Painful.
He let his body rest, letting the soreness slowly ease.
And then—
something stirred inside him.
A wave of information flooded his mind.
Instincts.
Understanding.
Knowledge tied to the power that had now awakened fully.
Lucian froze.
"So this is… my physique."
Shock hit first.
Then disbelief.
Then excitement burning beneath his skin.
Ignoring the stiffness, he pushed himself up and walked into the residence.
His parents were waiting.
His father stepped forward, eyes filled with anticipation.
"Well? Did your physique reveal itself?"
Lucian nodded.
"Yes… and it's incredible."
His mother moved closer.
"What did you awaken, Lucian?"
His stepmother placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"No matter what it is, we're proud of you."
Lucian drew a deep breath.
"My physique is…"
And the truth he was about to speak
would change everything.