The day had just begun, and with it, I had taken my first taste of power, awakening a fire within me that would not be easily extinguished. My chest still pulsed with the warmth of the orb's energy, and somewhere deep inside, I could feel a presence, subtle and unspoken, watching, guiding. A whisper of insight, like a faint chord struck in the quiet of my mind, reminded me of the jade stone resting at my waist.
I hadn't touched it since yesterday, but its energy hummed faintly, like a heartbeat syncing with mine. That stone, silent and unassuming, held a connection to something greater, something patient and knowledgeable. I could feel it nudging me, a quiet voice beneath the surface of consciousness, guiding my awareness toward what I needed to learn next.
I rose from the courtyard stone, every muscle still humming with residual energy, and stepped toward the small grove at the estate's edge. The dew glistened, and the bamboo swayed faintly in the morning breeze, but my focus was inward, toward the golden threads of energy weaving themselves into my body.
"Step by step, point by point," I whispered to myself, recalling the rhythm I had begun to establish, the pulse of control and awareness forming inside me. The Luck Points I had earned so far felt alive, an invisible reservoir that strengthened my movements, sharpened my reflexes, and honed my senses. Each pulse of energy seemed to whisper, push further, reach higher, break the limits.
[Luck Points +2]
I could feel the Mortal Root inside me stirring. The small surge from the orb had opened a door, and now it was up to me to step through it. My body, already lighter and more responsive than before, began to vibrate subtly with potential, the golden threads inside twisting, coiling, and stretching as though trying to expand beyond their current confines.
A subtle shimmer at the edge of my vision caught my attention. My heart skipped a beat.
[Luck Points +1]
It was unlike the smaller orbs I had absorbed before. This shimmer was heavier, almost alive, radiating a golden warmth that made the hairs on my arms stand on end. It hovered near the central training plaza, above a worn stone path. Its presence felt deliberate, as if it had been waiting for me all along.
I moved forward cautiously, weaving between the distracted disciples. My eyes never left the orb, which pulsed gently as if calling to me. The air around it vibrated faintly, almost humming in resonance with my own qi.
[Luck Points +3]
I crouched slightly, letting my breathing slow and steady. My pulse synchronized with the golden glow, every muscle tensed, every sense sharpened. The world seemed to narrow, leaving only me, the orb, and the currents of power swirling invisibly around it.
I extended a hand slowly, trembling slightly. The orb pulsed in response, its light intensifying. It hovered for a brief moment, then shot toward me like liquid sunlight. My body recoiled, the force sending a shiver down my spine.
[Luck Points +5]
A blinding golden flare enveloped me. Warmth surged from my chest to my arms, legs, and head. My vision sharpened. Colors seemed brighter, sounds crisper, and even the faintest stirrings of qi around the courtyard became perceptible. I could feel the latent potential of every disciple, every leaf, every stone underfoot.
The panel appeared in my mind, flickering violently as numbers climbed,
[Luck Points +50 → 86]
Talent Progress: 5% → 12%
I staggered slightly but caught myself. My chest glowed faintly with golden warmth, an exhilarating energy coursing through me. I lifted my arms experimentally, testing the newfound flow of qi. My fingers tingled as if every nerve had awakened simultaneously.
The other disciples hadn't noticed anything unusual. To them, I appeared normal, but every movement now carried subtle energy that only I could feel, precise, efficient, flowing naturally with my thoughts.
A faint shadow flickered at the edge of the courtyard. My instincts flared. Someone was watching.
From the corner near the Elder Hall, a tall, cloaked figure lingered, still and deliberate. The face was hidden, but the presence was undeniable, sharp, calculating, observant. The observer did not move closer, did not speak. Just watched, like a hawk tracking prey.
My pulse quickened. Powerful, careful, observant.
Yet I did not flinch. I exhaled slowly, letting the orb's energy settle into my body. Each heartbeat reinforced a new awareness, I was no longer a powerless Mortal Root child. I now possessed something rare, an edge that few could imagine.
I turned back to the training dummies, letting my body test the limits of the new surge. Strikes that would have taken weeks to perfect now flowed naturally, every blow resonating with a faint golden aura, subtle enough to be invisible to others, but undeniable to me.
[Luck Points +2]
Crouching low, I focused on my footwork. I could sense even the smallest disturbances in the air, a staff swinging too forcefully, qi pulses colliding, the rhythm of exertion from each disciple. It was overwhelming, yet exhilarating. I felt like a child standing at the edge of a vast ocean, finally glimpsing the depths below.
A gust of wind rustled the leaves along the courtyard perimeter. The figure from the shadows had vanished, leaving only a cold, lingering sense of scrutiny. My gaze swept the empty space, instincts warning me this was no ordinary observer. Whoever it was had noticed the surge, noticed me.
I smiled faintly. Then let them watch. Let them see. I will grow stronger, step by step, point by point.
Another faint shimmer appeared, near the bamboo grove. I approached carefully.
[Luck Points +1]
The smaller points felt insignificant compared to the big orb, yet they carried the same promise, growth, potential, the ability to step beyond the limitations of my Mortal Root. I absorbed the orb. A surge of warmth pulsed through me, vision sharpening further. Colors, shapes, even the faint traces of qi around me became more distinct. I could almost see the energy flowing through the courtyard, the ebb and flow of power invisible to everyone else.
The golden warmth settled in my chest. The first big Luck Orb had been absorbed. The first taste of real, transformative fortune.
From the shadows, the cloaked figure lingered no longer. The presence remained, distant but palpable. Someone powerful was aware of me now.
And that knowledge only strengthened me.
My lips curved into a confident smile. They may watch. They may judge. But only I can see the path of luck before me. Only I can grasp the advantage. And I will not be caught unprepared.
The courtyard stretched around me, alive with the normal clamor of disciples, oblivious to the golden pulse now settled in my chest. Every step from this day forward would be guided by this hidden advantage, by this secret fortune no one else could see.
The first great Luck Orb had marked the beginning of something extraordinary. And somewhere in the shadows, someone powerful had already noticed.
The game had begun.