Sitting cross-legged on the carpeted floor of my bedroom, I closed my eyes once again. The initial thrill of awakening had faded, repced by a deepening curiosity and determination. I needed to understand my newfound power. My breathing steadied, my focus sharpening as I concentrated inward, feeling the subtle currents of energy around me.

  At first, the sensation was elusive, like trying to grasp smoke. But gradually, a gentle warmth tingled against my skin, and I sensed it clearly—the flow of Qi drifting invisibly through the air. It felt like threads of silk brushing against my fingertips, pulsing gently in rhythm with my breath.

  This...this was cultivation. The realization was intoxicating. A path forward in a world filled with impossible beings and incredible dangers. I was no longer utterly powerless. The Qi resonated within me, easing the tension that had lingered since my awakening.

  Then, abruptly, the cultivation system chimed clearly within my mind, breaking my trance:

  [Beginner Quest Completed: Initiate Qi Condensation.]

  [Cim reward?]

  "Yes," I responded, heart racing in anticipation.

  [Reward Cimed:]

  Cultivation Technique Acquired: "Immortal’s Sword Heart."Spirit Root Upgrade: "Energy Sword Root."Suddenly, an overwhelming surge of golden energy shot into my chest, piercing straight through to my dantian. I doubled over, clutching my chest as fiery pain ripped through me, radiating outward to every nerve ending. My muscles spasmed uncontrolbly, teeth clenched tight enough to crack. Sweat poured from my brow, the pain intense, and I suppressed a scream as the sensation intensified, a scorching heat mingled with icy coldness that seemed to tear me apart from within.

  Finally, after what felt like an eternity, it ceased, leaving me gasping for air. I opened my eyes, dazed, yet feeling profoundly different. My body hummed with newfound potential, my spiritual roots—once faint and ordinary—now sharper, more refined. When I focused inward, my spirit roots appeared transformed into radiant bdes, pulsing vividly with a fierce, golden sword-like energy.

  "Immortal's Sword Heart," I murmured thoughtfully. Just speaking its name invoked a sense of crity and calm. The cultivation technique materialized vividly in my mind: images of elegant sword stances blending fluidly into meditation postures, guiding me to refine my Qi into a sharp, pure sword energy.

  Then a chime resonated again:

  [New Quest: Mastering the Immortal’s Sword Heart Technique]

  Achieve proficiency in the Immortal’s Sword Heart Technique. Reward: Increased cultivation comprehension, unlocking Foundation Establishment requirements.

  A sense of urgency and excitement propelled me to immediately test my new powers.

  I stood, practicing each stance carefully, amazed at how naturally my body responded, moving fluidly through each form. My Qi flowed within me like a razor-sharp bde—focused, precise, and strong.

  Throughout the next two days, I dedicated myself entirely to mastering this newfound power. Each repetition honed my control, and the Qi within me grew steadily stronger, filling my dantian with confidence and crity. By the time the weekend ended, I felt completely different—more powerful, more banced, a cultivator rather than a helpless bystander.

  The chime confirmed my progress:

  [Quest Completed: Level 1/10 proficiency attained.]

  [Reward pending…]

  But before I could cim it, my 8:00 AM phone arm sounded, pulling me from my meditation. Today was Monday, and graduation started in one hour. I quickly ran to the shower to clean myself up, feeling energized.

  Campus was bustling as usual, filled with the energy of excited students anticipating graduation. I was halfway to the graduation courtyard near the research wing when screams erupted from ahead, startling me from my thoughts.

  “Everyone out of my way!” shouted a harsh voice as students scattered in panic. A figure sprinted across the quad—armored in a familiar yellow-and-brown outfit, distinctive vibro-shock gauntlets crackling with energy.

  "Shocker?" My heart skipped a beat. The vilin was bolting toward the research b, clearly after something specific. My pulse quickened as a familiar figure swung rapidly through the air after him—a fsh of white and pink, unmistakably Spiderwoman—Gwen Stacy.

  “This day just keeps getting better,” I muttered, ducking instinctively as Shocker unleashed a pulse from his gauntlets, shattering windows along the campus path. I watched Gwen elegantly dodge his attack, webbing propelling her forward.

  The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning: I was still just a fledgling cultivator, and these battles were way out of my league. But I also knew I couldn’t just run. Not anymore. If there was any meaning to this second chance I'd been given, it was here, in the chaos unfolding before me.

  Drawing a deep breath, I steadied the Qi within my dantian, feeling fierce determination ignite within my heart. The path ahead might be dangerous, but even if I couldn't fight just yet, I could help.