Behind Schedule

Li Wei pauses momentarily at the entrance, taking in the sight of his cave.

He steps inside the cave. The coolness of the stone greets him, a stark contrast to the outside world. The cave is quiet, the silence a welcome respite from the day's interactions and noise.

Li Wei sets the bundle down on the table and carefully unwraps it. The Bone Shot manual, the Qi Enhancer Flow talisman, the pill-rolling board, the intrusion talisman, and the cloth roll unfold before him. 

Li Wei inspects the pill he received from the shopkeeper. On the surface, it appears ordinary, perhaps even more pristine in its whiteness. Yet, as he holds it, he senses a subtle energy.

Li Wei places the pill safely back in his robe.

Li Wei sits down in his cave with the items from the market now settled. He takes a deep breath, allowing the quiet of the cave to wash over him. His mind is still active with the day's events. Still, he allows himself a moment of stillness.

Li Wei sits in his cave, the 'Bone Shot' manual now open. 

Li Wei carefully turned the manual pages, his eyes scanning the detailed descriptions of the Bone Shot technique. The text outlines a method for channelling Qi directly to the fingertips, where it's condensed into sharp, bone-like projections. As he reads, this skill serves dual purposes in combat, offering offensive and defensive capabilities.

The manual underlines two critical elements for mastering this technique: a stable stance and controlled breathing. These fundamentals are essential for effectively channelling and directing Qi. As he absorbs this information, Li Wei nods slightly, acknowledging their importance in successfully executing Bone Shot.

Moving further into the text, Li Wei discovers the core aspect of the technique. It involves gathering Qi at the fingertips, then a focused visualization of this energy, solidifying it into a bone-like form. The concept of blending concentration and precision in Qi control is both familiar and challenging to Li Wei. The notion of transforming Qi into a tangible form intrigues him.

Detailed instructions describe how to release the condensed Qi quickly and precisely, thus creating the desired bone projections. The manual emphasizes that the effectiveness of a Bone Shot hinges on the force and speed of this release, which determines the projections' length and sharpness. Li Wei notes this crucial detail, understanding the need for precise control.

Accompanying illustrations depict the correct hand positions and the final form of the bone projections. A cautionary note in the manual catches Li Wei's attention. It warns of the potential risks associated with frequent use of Bone Shot, such as draining Qi reserves and weakening the bones in the fingers. This advice resonates with Li Wei, reminding him of the importance of moderation and the need to gradually build his proficiency in this new technique.

[Detected cultivation technique: 'Bone Shot'.

Channel Qi to the fingertips, where it solidifies into bone-like projections. These projections are used for attacking or defending. During the formation of these bone projections, the flesh over the fingertips will be damaged]

[Modification Suggestion: Ingest bone essence before using the technique to strengthen the new bone growth and endure extreme pain. This attracts the bone essence into the growth, enhancing durability slightly.]

"What the fuck," he mutters to himself, his frustration with the system evident in his tone. "This system is bullshit. It's the same modification as last time. How is this supposed to help me?"

He shakes his head, his annoyance growing with each passing second. "This thing is broken," he thinks, a sense of resentment creeping in. "Why did I have to get stuck with such a useless piece of shit?"

Li Wei looks at the cave wall, thinking, "whatever, let's see what this Bone Shot can do." He chooses a spot on the rugged wall as his target. "A good test for the technique," he muses. Positioning himself, he concentrates, mentally preparing to channel his Qi. "Focus," he reminds himself, "Remember the manual." He gathers his energy, curious yet cautious about the potential results of his first attempt.

He extends his right hand, aiming his index finger towards the wall. He channels his Qi, feeling it surge through his body towards his fingertip. His concentration is intense, his breathing steady.

A sharp, bone-like projection shoots out rapidly. The swift and forceful projection slices through the air, emitting a faint whistling sound as it travels. However, it veers slightly off course, not hitting the intended mark but instead striking the cave wall to the side of his target. The impact is solid, the bone projectile embedding itself into the wall with a thud. It leaves a distinct, jagged mark where it hit, and pieces of stone and dust dislodged from the wall around the indentation. The projection remains lodged in the wall momentarily before falling to the ground.

The technique's power is evident, but it comes with a cost. As the bone projectile launches, it tears through the flesh at the front of Li Wei's finger. The pain is immediate and sharp, a searing sensation that makes him wince. Blood starts to seep from the wound, a stark contrast to the pale bone now jutting from his finger.

Despite the pain, Li Wei observes the results of his practice. The Bone Shot is potent, but the physical toll on his body is concerning. He examines his injured finger, noting the ragged flesh around the emerging bone.

As Li Wei closely inspects the injury on his finger, his thoughts focus, "The bone shot right through," he thinks, observing the torn flesh around where the bone emerged. "It's more brutal than I expected." He notes the ragged edges of the wound, the mingling of blood and torn skin starkly evident. "This is the price of power," he muses, seeing the inflammation and rawness of the surrounding area. "I didn't control it well enough," he admits, recognizing the deviation from his intended target. "Need more precision... more control," he resolves, understanding that mastering this technique requires power, finesse, and a deeper connection with his Qi. The physical reminder of the technique's potency and his current limitations is both sobering and motivating.

"I need to clean this up." He decides to head to the nearby stream. "The water should help clean the wound," he reasons internally. The walk is a chance to reflect on the technique and the price it demands. The fresh air outside his cave brings a momentary relief from the intense focus of his practice.

Reaching the stream, he unwinds the bandage wrapped around his head. The bandage, having been in place for some time, carries a distinct odour. He gently peels it off, revealing the area where his ear used to be. The removal of the bandage stings a sharp reminder of his previous injury.

Li Wei dips the bandage into the stream, the cool water rushing over the fabric. He carefully cleans the bandage, rinsing away the accumulated grime and blood. The water feels refreshing, contrasting with the stinging sensation on his head.

After cleaning the bandage, he turns his attention to his injured finger. He rinses it gently in the stream, the cold water soothing the fiery pain. He watches as the blood dilutes in the flowing water, the stream carrying it away.

With his wounds cleaned, Li Wei returns to his cave. He retrieves the fresh clothes he purchased at the market. The cloth is soft and clean, a suitable replacement for his old bandage. He carefully wraps it around his head, covering the wound where his ear was. The fresh bandage feels more comfortable and less irritating than the old one.

Li Wei sits quietly, his thoughts turning inward. "Bone Shot is a good technique," he thinks, "but my accuracy is lacking and it's hard on my fingers. I need to practice more." He reflects on its utility and potential yet is aware of his inadequacies. "It's a start," he muses, "but I need more. More techniques in my arsenal." He knows that mastering Bone Shot is just the beginning. "There's so much more to learn," he acknowledges silently. "I have to keep pushing, expanding my skills." He considers the effort and time it will take to improve. "It won't be easy," he admits, "but it's necessary." His determination is clear in his thoughts. "I can't rely on just one technique. I need a variety." He plans his next steps in cultivation, contemplating the path ahead. "More techniques, more practice," he resolves. "That's what it'll take." 

Li Wei, exhausted from the day, enters his cave. He sits on his bedding. Closing his eyes, he lies down. The cave is silent around him. His breathing becomes steady and deep. Gradually, he relaxes. Sleep comes, enveloping him in its quiet embrace. He drifts off, leaving the day's weariness behind.

Li Wei wakes up. His eyes open. The cave is dimly lit by the early morning light. He sits up from his bedding. He rubs his eyes. He then stretches his arms. He gets up and stands in the cave. He walks a few steps and stops. He takes a deep breath.

"I need to reach level 6 immediately," he thinks. "I'm already behind schedule." His thoughts are clear and focused. He knows what he needs to do. He remembers the pill from the inner disciple. "I'll save the inner disciple's pill for later," he decides. "It's better to use it when I'm at a bottleneck rather than right now." He thinks about the best way to use his resources.