My Strangeness Points were now 170.
Dawn broke on Golden Dragon Peak, but inside the cave, darkness still reigned, illuminated only by the soft glow of the Spiritual Pool and the faint shimmer of the Sky Essence Ice Flower.
Chen Ming stretched, feeling every joint in his body creak, creak! after a not-so-restful sleep on the cold stone floor. Nevertheless, his body felt lighter, and the flow of Qi in his Half-Dragon Meridians felt smoother than before. The effects of purification and initial cultivation were still at work, slowly transforming him.
He opened his eyes, his whitened pupils emitting a strange glow in the dimness. He saw Xian'er, who was already sitting cross-legged by the pool, her eyes closed in meditation. Her golden hair flowed gracefully over her shoulders, radiating an aura of tranquility that contrasted with the chaos in Chen Ming's mind.
Life companion, huh? A truly... unique destiny. I, who used to only worry about exam scores and awkward dates, am now bound to a majestic, super beautiful, and slightly... intimidating dragon. Life is indeed full of surprises, or more accurately, full of endless strangeness.
Xian'er opened her eyes, looking at Chen Ming with a faint smile. "Awake already, mortal? Did you sleep well?" There was a hint of amusement in her soft, flowing voice.
Chen Ming quickly got up, feeling a little awkward. "A-ah, yes, Your Excellency Xian'er. Quite... well. My body feels different."
"Good," Xian'er nodded. "That is the effect of your Half-Dragon Meridians and the Qi you absorbed. Today, we will continue your lessons. You must learn to control Qi better."
She rose and stepped closer, her majestic aura enveloping Chen Ming, but now it felt more like guidance than a threat. "Yesterday, you sensed Qi. Today, you will learn to manipulate it. Imagine the Qi within you as a flow of water. You must learn to direct that flow, speed it up or slow it down, even change its direction as you wish."
Xian'er raised her hand again, and this time, a larger golden ball of light formed in her palm, slowly rotating. "This is controlled Qi. Try to do the same."
Chen Ming nodded, closed his eyes, and tried to concentrate Qi in his palm. He imagined the flow of Qi in his Half-Dragon Meridians flowing towards his palm, gathering, and forming a ball.
Whoosh...
He felt Qi pulsating in his hand, warm and energetic. However, the Qi felt wild, difficult to control, like a newly tamed horse. He tried to solidify it, but the Qi instead dispersed, floating erratically.
[Ding! Detection: User experiencing difficulty controlling Qi. Gathering Strangeness Points from an awkward but persistent struggle...]
[+8 Strangeness Points.]
"Ouch! Even effort earns points? This System really doesn't miss any opportunity!" My Strangeness Points were now 178.
Xian'er observed patiently. "Do not force it. Let it flow. Qi will respond to your intent, not brute force. Focus your mind, Chen Ming."
Chen Ming tried again, this time more relaxed. He imagined Qi as a fine thread he could pull and push. Slowly, a small ball of Qi began to form in his palm, though it still flickered unstably.
"Good," Xian'er smiled. "You have a natural talent for strangeness, Chen Ming. That will help you on this path."
Natural talent for strangeness? Is that a compliment or an insult? Chen Ming could only smile wryly. He continued to practice, trying to manipulate the Qi in his hand. Sometimes it worked, sometimes his Qi exploded slightly in his hand with a funny pop! sound, causing his Strangeness Points to continue to increase.
[Ding! Detection: User displaying absurd persistence in the face of failure. Gathering Strangeness Points from ridiculous determination...]
[+5 Strangeness Points.]
My Strangeness Points were now 183.
After some time practicing, Xian'er lowered her hand. "Enough for today. You have made good progress. Now, there is something else we need to discuss."
She walked towards the mouth of the cave, looking at the thick mist that still enveloped the mountain peak. "You cannot keep hiding here, Chen Ming. This cave is safe, but the world outside has changed a lot in these ten years. Chaos is coming, and you, with your Half-Dragon Meridians, will be a part of it."
Chen Ming swallowed. "Chaos? You mean... war? Monsters? Or maybe... harder school exams?"
Xian'er glanced at him, a faint smile on her lips. "More than that. The balance of Tian Xuan Continent is unstable. Old powers are rising, and new factions are emerging. You possess my essence, and that will attract attention. We must leave here. I will guide you."
"Leave?" Chen Ming gasped. Leave this safe dragon's lair? To the chaotic outside world? I haven't even mastered 'Light Shadow Steps' without hitting a wall! Panic began to creep in, but behind it, there was a strange wave of excitement. A real adventure! This will be much more exciting than just playing games!
[Ding! Detection: User experiencing a mix of panic and excitement for adventure. Gathering Strangeness Points from contradictory emotions...]
[+12 Strangeness Points.]
"Alright, System, you really know how to make my life interesting," Chen Ming muttered inwardly, sighing in resignation. My Strangeness Points were now 195.
"Where will we go, Xian'er?" Chen Ming asked, looking at the dragon woman.
Xian'er turned, her golden eyes radiating determination. "We will go to a place where you need to grow, and where I can regain some of my strength. We will go to the Jade Bamboo Forest, a place where spiritual energy is abundant, and there are ancient secrets we can find."
"Jade Bamboo Forest?" Chen Ming repeated, trying to recall the Tian Xuan Continent Map in his mind. It seems like a distant and dangerous place. I have a map, but do I know how to read it in this world? There must be monsters or bandits there. This will be a long journey and full of... strangeness points.
He glanced at the System panel, opening his inventory. Qi Recovery Pills, Movement Technique Manual, Tian Xuan Continent Map. I have emergency rations too, but they taste like dried grass. Maybe I need something else for this journey.
He opened the System Shop. Many items were still locked, but there were a few he could buy.
[Minor Wound Medicine] - 3 Strangeness Points
[Multi-purpose Rope (10 meters)] - 2 Strangeness Points
[Basic Hunting Knife] - 5 Strangeness Points
[Low-Grade Antidote] - 7 Strangeness Points
Hmm, a hunting knife and an antidote sound useful. I have 195 Strangeness Points. Quite a lot!
"System, I'll buy a Basic Hunting Knife and a Low-Grade Antidote," Chen Ming decided inwardly.
[Purchase Confirmation: Basic Hunting Knife for 5 Strangeness Points, Low-Grade Antidote for 7 Strangeness Points? Yes/No.]
"Yes!"
Instantly, his 12 Strangeness Points decreased. My Strangeness Points were now 183. A simple knife with a sharp blade and a small bottle containing green liquid appeared in his hand.
"Ready, Chen Ming?" Xian'er asked, who was now standing at the mouth of the cave, looking towards the thinning mist outside.
Chen Ming nodded, sheathing the knife into his robe and putting away the medicine bottle. "Ready, Xian'er. Let's see what awaits us out there."
Xian'er smiled, a smile that radiated ancient beauty. "Good. Remember, you are not alone. I will be with you."
They stepped together towards the mouth of the cave. The thick mist that had long enveloped Golden Dragon Peak slowly began to clear, revealing the vast landscape of Tian Xuan Continent below. Dense forests stretched as far as the eye could see, deep green under a clear blue sky. The biting cold air from the mountain peak now mixed with the fresh scent of earth and trees.
Whoosh!
A strong mountain wind greeted them, flapping Chen Ming's robe and Xian'er's golden hair.
This is a strange beginning, but it is my beginning. I, Chen Ming, the jade-faced youth, now hold the threads of my own destiny. I will become the strongest, or at least the most unique, on this Tian Xuan Continent.