The Village

Jackson continued his trek through the forest, his senses alert for any signs of danger. The Qi in his Dantian pulsed rhythmically, like a second heartbeat, empowering him with a newfound sense of vitality. Just as he began to feel a bit more at ease, a guttural growl broke the silence. Emerging from the underbrush were three wolves, their eyes glowing a menacing yellow.

"Guess it's round two," Jackson muttered, his Qi surging in response to the imminent threat. The wolves lunged in unison, a coordinated attack aimed to overwhelm him. But Jackson was ready. Channeling Qi into his legs, he sidestepped the first wolf and delivered a powerful kick to the second, sending it sprawling.

The third wolf circled him, its growls tinged with caution. Jackson focused, drawing more Qi into his fists. As the wolf lunged, he struck, his Qi-infused punch landing squarely on its snout. The wolf yelped and retreated, joining its companion, who was now back on its feet. The two wolves glanced at each other, then back at Jackson, before slinking away into the forest.

Catching his breath, Jackson felt the Qi in his Dantian swirl and condense, as if being refined. "Battle really is the best teacher," he thought, recalling his unique Battleforge physique.

Continuing his journey, he soon stumbled upon a worn path. Following it led him to a quaint village, its wooden houses adorned with simple carvings and its streets bustling with villagers. Intrigued and hopeful for some answers, he ventured further into the village and found himself standing before a modest building with a sign that read "Library."

Inside, Jackson was greeted by rows of parchment scrolls and wooden tablets. Eager to understand more about this world and its cultivation system, he delved into the texts. He learned about the Heavenly Dao, an omnipresent force that guided cultivators, inherently imbuing them with the knowledge of their current realm and the steps to ascend to the next.

As he read further, he discovered that while the names of the realms were universal—Qi Refining, Meridian Opening, Foundation Establishment—the steps to reach them could vary based on one's physique. "So, my Battleforge physique could influence my cultivation path," he pondered.

In Qi Refining, he would continue to gather and refine Qi, elevating its quality. Meridian Opening involved unsealing 12 meridians, each stage corresponding to a different meridian, which would drastically improve Qi circulation and capacity. Finally, Foundation Establishment was where cultivators built foundation pillars within their Dantian. The number of pillars could vary, with some rare talents even reaching a hundred, although the benefits had diminishing returns past fifty.

Armed with this newfound knowledge, Jackson felt a sense of direction. He knew what he had to do, what realms lay ahead, and how his unique physique could shape his cultivation journey. Thanking the librarian, he stepped out of the library.

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He meandered around the village for a bit, asking an old man that was on a walk where he could earn some money. The old man pointed towards a large building to the west, the building had a large sign on the outside that read "Hunters' Guild".

Upon entering the Hunters' Guild, Jackson was immediately drawn to the atmosphere of the place. Men and women of various ages were discussing quests, trading tips, and negotiating prices for monster parts. A large board displayed various tasks, from gathering herbs to hunting down dangerous beasts.

Approaching the counter, he spoke to the guild clerk. "I'm new here and interested in taking on a hunting quest. What do you recommend for a beginner?"

The clerk looked him up and down, sizing him up. "Well, if you're new, you might want to start with something simple. How about hunting some wolves? Their corpses can be used for various purposes and fetch a good price."

"Sounds good," Jackson agreed, recalling his recent encounter with wolves.

Armed only with his wits and the Qi circulating within him, Jackson ventured back into the forest. His senses were heightened, each rustle of leaves and distant howl echoing in his ears. Soon enough, he located a wolf pack. Channeling Qi into his fists, he engaged them. The wolves were agile, but Jackson was quicker and more precise. His Qi-infused strikes were devastatingly effective, and he managed to subdue several wolves.

Realizing he had no way to skin them, Jackson decided to bring back their whole corpses. It was a cumbersome task, but he managed to carry them back to the guild.

Back at the guild, the clerk inspected the wolf corpses and nodded approvingly. "Good quality. Here's your payment," she said, handing him a pouch containing 80 copper coins.

"Thank you," Jackson replied, feeling the weight of the pouch. It was a modest sum, but it was a start.

With his newly earned money, Jackson headed to the local inn. "One room for the night," he said, placing 50 copper coins on the counter.

The innkeeper smiled. "You're in luck. We have one room left. Enjoy your stay."

As Jackson settled into his room, he felt a sense of accomplishment wash over him. He had not only completed his first quest but also earned enough to secure a place to stay for the night. Lying on the bed, he focused on his Dantian, allowing the Qi to circulate through his body.

In the comfort of a room he had earned, Jackson drifted off to sleep, his thoughts already turning to the challenges and opportunities that awaited him in the days to come.