Chapter 3 - Cultivation

Xun realized that there was a small problem with his plan in cleansing the prison quite quickly. He was still chained to the wall. Xun looked through his abilities for a chance to escape.

"Inventory."

Xun chanted out loud, with a bright fire in his eyes.

A notification appeared.

"To use inventory please touch the item to the related rune."

Xun frowned in frustration, the chains somehow immobilized his entire body so he couldn't move his hands. He thought he had been clever enough to find a solution to his issue. If he had enough foresight he could've free'd his body from the chains before he possessed it.

"Demonic Rune imprinting."

Xun chanted next, with a tinge of disappointment.

Another notification appeared.

"Using Demonic energy, you can imprint runes onto your body to a myriad of different effects."

"Runes learned: 0."

Xun frowned again, was it possible that he had trapped himself into an inescapable position right from the start.

"Basic Cultivating manual."

Xun chanted in a dispirited voice. He didn't know if he had the hundred of years necessary to become a cultivator.

This time however, instead of a notification coming up, information started filling his mind.

Thousands of different movement stances to optimize different forms of Qi-flow, to mimic animals, or to meld with the environment around the user.

Hundreds of different ways to absorb energy through breathing, as well as recognize the energy around them.

Finally, the way to move energy around the body correctly. By connecting the energy to different Qi-points in the body using specific energy channels in the body known as meridians. One would be able to strengthen their body and even use the energy to affect the world around them. The process of absorbing and cycling energy around the body is known as cultivation.

Towards the end a sonorous voice that seemed to blend into the very world itself spoke.

"This manual can only start you on the path, a path that you must walk to the end alone."

Those words seemed to imprint themselves into Xun's mind. They also calmed Xun's soul, and soothed him out of his overwhelmed state. He started slowly compiling the information in his mind.

Luckily, or unluckily, he was unable to move, so therefore the movement stances were useless to him.

Between the different energy-absorption methods, Xun selected one that allowed him to absorb Qi without moving. By breathing with a certain interval, the energy will naturally be drawn to him, and be absorbed into his body.

However, the only form of energy he could absorb was demonic energy. A strong pure Demonic energy. Qi in itself was a natural energy formed by the balance of the world. In a jail full of suffering and death, the only form of energy would naturally be Demonic.

Due to the nature of Xun's class, he was able to store and use the Demonic energy he absorbed, so he continued to absorb. He continued to compile the information, while each breath he took absorbed Demonic energy.

Xun absorbed so much Demonic energy that he could feel it pulsing through his entire body, filling him with a rampant desire to kill. Xun, feeling the energy, started to guide them through his meridians.

His body was unused to cultivation, and adding to the rampant nature of Demonic energy, it felt like fire going through his veins, not unlike a strong alcohol going down your throat.

He gritted his teeth through the pain and continued cultivating the way the manual said. Xun had always dreamed of being a cultivator, reading stories of ancient cultivators conquering the world. The real trouble Xun had was focusing the energy through his body, while it affected his mental state.

Eventually, he circled a small bunch of energy around his body. As it went around his body, it permeated into his skin and veins, slowly strengthening him.

Two notifications popped up.

"Ability gained: Cultivation - Qi formation stage - Level 1."

"All stats +1. Demonic Qi + 10."

Xun smiled, his first attempt at cultivation was a success. As a side effect of cultivating with Demonic energy, it seemed his Qi now had Demonic properties.

Xun continued to cycle Demonic Energy through his body, relishing in the feeling of growing stronger. With each pass he could feel himself grow stronger.

After nine more cycles around his body. Xun received another notification.

"Qi formation stage - Level 2."

Retroactively through getting stronger, he had gained

"All stats +9. Demonic Qi + 10."

He was now twice as strong in every aspect as he was before. His mind was faster and clearer, and he was no longer affected by the madness from the Demonic energy in his body. Not just due to him converting the energy into Qi, but also because his spirit increased by another ten points.

He cycled another batch of Demonic energy around his body. His speed much faster due to him doing it nine times before.

However, to his surprise, he received a different notification.

"All stats increased by 0.01."

Now that his body was strengthened, the effect of energy was much less useful for his body.

Realizing the effects of diminishing returns, Xun went to check his status. However, he had no way to look at the back of his hand, as they were chained above his head. He focused within his mind for a status, and it came up.

Status

Name - Xun

Title - Slaughterer of the Demons.

Race - Human (Demonic)

Class - Demonic Runic Cultivator.

Vitality - 20

Strength - 20

Agility - 20

Stamina - 20

Intelligence - 20

Spirit - 30

Demonic energy - 200

Demonic Qi - 22

Faction - Kingdom of Heaven (destroyed.) Goddess Adrestia

Abilities - Inventory (Empty) (5)

Demonic Rune imprinting

Cultivation - Qi formation stage - Level 2

Close combat - Novice - Level 1

Xun noted to himself.

"So the stats only note increases of whole numbers?"

Xun still hadn't found a way out of his predicament, however, he now had a new ability to work with.

The Demonic Qi and Demonic energy built up in his body could be released, however he had no skill to do it. So Xun had to manually release it in the most primal way. He focused a buildup of Qi around his wrists, and he felt a strong burning sensation. Far stronger then when he had been cultivating earlier, he started hearing a sizzling and popping noise, as he realized he could move his body.

Xun looked towards the chains, and realized that his hands were on fire. The chains were slowly melting, and whatever enchantment that was on the chain that stopped him from moving had shattered due to the iron deforming.

He moved his hands in such a way that he could touch the chain with the back of his hand and chanted in smug manner.

"Inventory."

His inventory then said.

Added Lockdown chain - Level 10 (broken).

With one hand free it was simple for Xun to retrieve the other 3 chains.

Testing the ability, he removed the broken Lockdown chain from his inventory. Spinning it around in his hand he could use it as a makeshift weapon.

Xun also tried to stack the 3 working Lockdown chains in his inventory, but each item had to be stored separately.

Walking forward he realized that on the floor was the key ring he had picked up earlier.

As he walked forward, a notification appeared.

Main quest

Escape the Demon's Prison.

Reward: Returning home.

Additional quest

Destroy the Demon's Prison.

Reward: Full compatibility with your body.