CHAPTER 3 FIRST STEPS
899 Words
The first rays of dawn peeked over the eastern horizon.
A cool breeze swept through the lonely hill behind the Rizz Clan, carrying with it the refreshing scent of dew-covered grass.
Raizen slowly sat up beneath the ancient tree.
He looked around in silence.
The stars had disappeared.
Morning had arrived.
"So..."
"It really wasn't a dream."
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, a familiar translucent screen appeared before him.
ORIGIN SYSTEM
Host: Rizz Raizen
Realm: Body Tempering Realm (Peak)
Talent: Divine Grade (Sealed)
Foundation: Ordinary
Bloodline: Unknown (Dormant)
Origin Points: 0
A smile unconsciously formed on his lips.
"It really exists."
He stretched his sore body before clenching his fists.
Although nothing had changed physically...
His heart was completely different.
For the first time in years...
He knew he wasn't talentless.
Someone...
Or something...
Had stolen his future.
And one day—
He would uncover the truth.
Raizen bowed slightly toward the empty air.
"Thank you."
The Origin System remained silent.
A moment later...
Its calm voice echoed within his mind.
"Gratitude acknowledged."
"Reminder."
"Host remains weak."
Raizen's smile froze.
"...You really don't know how to encourage people."
"Facts require no encouragement."
He chuckled.
"Fair enough."
Without wasting another second, Raizen sat cross-legged beneath the ancient tree.
He closed his eyes.
The cultivation technique passed down within the Rizz Clan slowly circulated through his meridians.
Wisps of Spirit Qi drifted toward him.
Unlike before...
He noticed something strange.
His perception had become much sharper.
He could actually see tiny streams of pale-white Spirit Qi floating through the air.
"So this is Spirit Qi..."
He whispered.
Before, he had only been able to sense it vaguely.
Now...
Everything seemed clearer.
Observation Complete.
Host's Soul Perception has increased.
Raizen opened one eye.
"...You can observe that too?"
"Correct."
He couldn't help smiling.
This System wasn't giving him power.
It was helping him understand himself.
That alone was already invaluable.
Hours passed.
Spirit Qi continuously flowed into his body.
Suddenly—
Crack!
Pain shot through every bone in his body.
Raizen's eyes flew open.
His breathing became ragged.
His muscles trembled violently.
"What... is happening?"
The calm voice immediately responded.
"Body impurities detected."
"Host is attempting forced refinement."
"Forced?"
"I wasn't trying to—"
Before he could finish—
A violent wave of pain erupted throughout his entire body.
"Agh!"
His veins bulged.
Sweat soaked his robes.
It felt as though countless needles were piercing every inch of his flesh.
Instinct screamed at him to stop.
To give up.
To end the pain.
His fists tightened.
"No..."
"I won't..."
His mother's words echoed within his heart.
"Talent may open the first door..."
His father's stern voice followed.
"A cultivator who fears pain will never reach the heavens."
Raizen gritted his teeth.
"If pain is the price..."
"I'll pay it."
Minutes passed.
Every second felt like an eternity.
Then—
The pain slowly faded.
A layer of black, foul-smelling impurities oozed from his pores.
Raizen looked down in surprise.
"My body..."
"It feels..."
He slowly stood.
His movements were lighter.
His breathing smoother.
Even his eyesight had become sharper.
He casually threw a punch.
Boom!
The air let out a faint explosion.
Raizen froze.
"...That punch..."
"It was much stronger."
Congratulations.
Host has completed Initial Body Purification.
Foundation Quality increased.
Current Foundation: High Grade.
Raizen's eyes widened.
"It actually improved?"
He had always believed one's foundation was determined at birth.
Apparently...
That wasn't entirely true.
Reminder.
A strong foundation determines future potential.
Never pursue quick breakthroughs at the cost of stability.
Raizen nodded seriously.
"I understand."
He had seen countless disciples obsessed with advancing quickly.
Few cared about strengthening their foundations.
If the Origin System emphasized this...
Then it must be extremely important.
Just then...
A faint rustling sound came from the nearby bushes.
Raizen's expression immediately sharpened.
Someone was there.
Without making a sound, he picked up a small stone from the ground.
His eyes locked onto the moving bushes.
"Who's there?"
Silence.
Another rustle.
Raizen threw the stone.
Whoosh!
"Ouch!"
A young voice cried out.
A boy around his age stumbled out while rubbing his forehead.
"You almost killed me!"
Raizen blinked.
"You were spying on me."
The boy awkwardly scratched his head.
"I wasn't spying..."
"I was..."
He paused.
"...Lost."
Raizen raised an eyebrow.
"In the middle of the clan's f*******n hill?"
"...Okay."
"I was spying."
Raizen couldn't help laughing.
The boy looked embarrassed.
"My name's Jin Wu."
"I've seen you training here every day."
"You never give up."
Raizen studied him for a moment.
Unlike the others in the clan...
There was no mockery in Jin Wu's eyes.
Only curiosity.
Raizen extended his hand.
"I'm Rizz Raizen."
Jin Wu grinned as he shook it.
"I know."
"The whole clan knows."
"They just don't know you like I do."
For the first time in years...
Raizen felt something unfamiliar.
A genuine friendship beginning to bloom.
Far away...
Hidden atop a mountain peak...
The elderly man from the previous day silently watched the two youths.
His cloudy eyes rested on Raizen.
Then...
On the ancient jade pendant beneath his robes.
A strange light flashed across the elder's eyes.
"...Interesting."
"Very interesting."
He disappeared without a trace.
Unaware of it all...
Raizen looked toward the rising sun.
A new day had begun.
And somewhere deep within the endless heavens...
The gears of destiny had quietly begun to turn.
- Writer
