The forest stretched endlessly in every direction, its shadows deep and its silence unnerving. The faint warmth in my chest, a result of my first attempt at cultivating, gave me a fleeting sense of control. But Mira’s voice, steady and ever-present, reminded me that this was just the beginning.

  [Mira]: “To grow stronger, Jayson, you must embrace the path of cultivation. The road ahead will demand your resilience, resourcefulness, and determination. This realm does not forgive weakness.”

  I exhaled, the roasted meat from the Shadowfang Lynx still warming my stomach. My first battle, if you could call it that, had left me rattled but alive. I looked down at the pile of resources I’d gathered from the beast—its fur, bones, blood, and remaining meat carefully arranged. They felt more like trophies than tools.

  “What exactly do I do with all of this?” I asked, gesturing at the pile. “How does this help me cultivate?”

  

  I poked at the fire with a stick, the embers glowing softly. “And my spirit well… you said it’s like a reservoir?”

  

  Her words hung in the air, heavy with implication. I had no idea how far I could push myself, or even what limits existed in this world. But I knew one thing—I didn’t have the luxury of hesitation.

  *****

  The next morning, I packed what little I could carry. With Mira’s guidance, I fashioned a crude sling out of the lynx’s hide, using it to store the bones and leftover meat. The blood, stored in hollowed-out bark, was tied carefully to the side of my makeshift pack. My movements were clumsy and unrefined, but Mira’s instructions kept me on track.

  

  “And where exactly do I find this settlement?” I asked, glancing nervously at the dense forest.

  

  I adjusted the sling over my shoulder, the weight pressing into my back. “What should I expect when I get there? Will they even help someone like me?”

  

  I didn’t like the sound of that, but I had no choice. With a deep breath, I set off, following the faint light breaking through the trees. The forest seemed to watch me, every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs sending a spike of adrenaline through my veins.

  *****

  Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  The journey was grueling. The forest was an unrelenting maze, its paths winding and uneven. My legs ached, and my shoulder throbbed where the lynx had clawed me. The wound wasn’t deep, but it served as a constant reminder of how fragile I was in this world.

  

  I stopped by a stream, setting down my pack. Mira directed me to a cluster of bright green plants growing near the water’s edge. Their leaves were broad and waxy, with faint streaks of silver.

  

  Following her instructions, I ground the leaves against a flat rock, creating a sticky green paste. The moment I applied it to my shoulder, a cool sensation spread across my skin, dulling the pain.

  “Thanks, Mira,” I muttered, my voice tinged with gratitude.

  

  Her words were practical, even clinical, but I couldn’t shake the sense that there was more to her than she let on.

  *****

  After two days of trekking, the forest finally began to thin. The air grew lighter, and the faint hum of human voices reached my ears. As I crested a small hill, I saw it—a cluster of wooden buildings nestled in a clearing. Smoke curled from chimneys, and people moved about, carrying baskets and tools.

  

  I approached cautiously, the weight of my sling reminding me of the stakes. The villagers gave me curious looks as I entered, their eyes lingering on the blood-stained hide and crude pack slung over my shoulder.

  A grizzled man with a scar across his cheek stepped forward, his gaze sharp. “You’re not from around here.”

  I nodded, keeping my tone neutral. “I’m a traveler. I have resources to trade.”

  He glanced at my pack, his expression softening slightly. “Spirit beast materials?”

  “Yes,” I said, unslinging the pack and opening it to reveal the lynx’s bones, blood, and remaining meat.

  The man’s eyes widened slightly. “Not bad. Follow me. The market will want to see this.”

  *****

  The market was a bustling hub of activity, with stalls overflowing with herbs, weapons, and glowing crystals. The air buzzed with Chi, the energy palpable even to someone as inexperienced as me. As I bartered with the merchants, Mira’s voice provided a steady stream of advice.

  

  I quickly learned that money in this world wasn’t like Earth’s. The currency consisted of Spirit Shards, condensed fragments of Chi. There were four grades: Low, Medium, High, and Peak.

  

  As I traded the lynx’s materials, I received 350 Low-grade Spirit Shards in return, small glowing crystals that radiated a faint warmth. Mira’s guidance helped me secure a set of beginner cultivation scrolls, a pouch of Chi-restorative pills, and a crude but serviceable dagger.

  *****

  Before leaving the village, I found a quiet corner near a well and sat down to examine the scrolls. Their parchment was worn but sturdy, the ink shimmering faintly with Chi. As I unrolled the first scroll, Mira’s voice guided me.

  

  I read the instructions, my mind racing with questions. The technique described a series of meditative poses and breathing exercises, each designed to draw Chi from the environment into my core.

  Closing my eyes, I began to practice, following Mira’s instructions. The world around me seemed to fade as I focused inward, my breathing steady and deliberate. The faint warmth in my chest grew stronger, pulsing in rhythm with the energy around me.

  For the first time, I felt a glimmer of understanding. This was cultivation—a path that demanded discipline, resilience, and an unyielding will.

  Opening my eyes, I looked toward the horizon. The journey ahead was daunting, but I was determined. If I was going to survive in this realm, I had to embrace its challenges fully.

  “Mira,” I said quietly, “what’s the next step?”

  Her voice was calm but resolute.