Obediently, Nox closed his eyes and delved into deep meditation. He drew in long, steady breaths, striving to connect with the energy permeating the air. Minutes ticked by before a subtle sensation emerged. Energy seemed to caress his skin, yet it frustratingly refused to penetrate his clogged pores.
“Let me help you,” Jing Xu said, his smile warm and encouraging. He pressed his hand more firmly against Nox's back, channeling Qi into the kobold's obstructed pores.
Feeling the energy coursing through his body, Nox's eyes snapped open in astonishment. With the elder's guidance, the once blocked paths were now clear, revealing the route he needed to follow.
Nox returned to his slow, rhythmic breathing, mimicking the elder’s technique. He pushed the ether with focused determination, like a miner chiseling through hardened soil. As time slipped away, Nox steadily directed the ether through his cleared pathways, guiding it into his dantian. There, it condensed into a precious droplet of Qi.
“I did it!” Nox exclaimed, spinning around to face Jing Xu, his eyes alight with a blend of triumph and joy.
Jing Xu chuckled at the young kobold’s exuberance. “You did well,” he praised. He then gestured towards the wooden tub behind them, adding, “Now, get in there before you turn this place into a gooey mess.”
Nodding, Nox leaped into the tub, which was half-filled with lukewarm water, at Jing Xu's behest. “Remember that feeling and sensation you experienced earlier. Just follow the same path, and you will eventually succeed,” Jing Xu advised.
“I will do that,” Nox affirmed, closing his eyes and settling into a lotus position. He inhaled deeply, retracing the steps of the process he had recently mastered.
Time seemed to evaporate as Nox immersed himself in the practice. Minutes flowed into hours. With serene focus, he absorbed the ether from the air, channeling it through his external paths and converting it into Qi within his dantian.
Two and a half hours later, Nox's tranquility was interrupted by an alert. His eyes flickered open to a welcome notification.
Congratulations, you have unlocked the cultivation system.
Curious about his progress, Nox mentally summoned his status panel to review his achievements.
Display Panel.
Ding Race Shadowstalker Kobold Level 17/30 (exp: 121/3800) Class Shadow Reaper Level 3/40 (exp: 231/850) Lifespan 40 years Cultivation realm Qi Gathering First Stage (67.3%) Stats Strength 59 Agility 105 Constitution 43 Mana 41 Qi 20 Free Points 15 Skills Stealth (Passive) Backstab (Passive) Shadow Affinity (Passive) Beastly Senses (Active) Shadow Manipulation (Active) Whisper Step (Active) Shadow Cloak (Active) Shadow Strike (Active)
Smiling at his newfound progress, Nox surveyed his surroundings, only to find himself immersed in the same sticky substance that Thorian often exuded. So that's what it was. I always wondered why Thorian smelled so bad, he mused to himself.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
He glanced at his fur with a wry smile. I can't exactly walk through the village like this. I'd send everyone running in the opposite direction.
His contemplation was interrupted as a figure entered the room. It was a blue kobold, bearing a striking resemblance to Aqua before his Ice evolution. “It seems you have completed your cultivation,” the kobold observed, approaching Nox. “Stay in the tub; I'll clean you up before you leave.”
Gratefully nodding, Nox remained in the tub, his feet submerged in the murky water, as the blue kobold set about his task. Using one water ball after another, the kobold meticulously cleaned Nox's black fur.
Each water ball's impact made Nox wince, but the discomfort wasn't severe enough to complain. Gritting his teeth, he allowed the blue kobold to continue, appreciating the effort to rid him of the sticky residue.
Once freed from the clinging black goo, Nox stepped out of the murky water. As he did so, the blue kobold lifted the wooden tub. “Congratulations on your first cultivation,” the blue kobold remarked while carrying the tub away. “I'll dispose of this waste and clean the tub. Have a good day.”
“You too,” Nox responded with a nod as the blue kobold departed.
Alone in the room, Nox made his way out of the cultivation hall. He remembered Thorian's instructions and set off towards the Assassin's Guild.
Upon arrival, he found Whisperwind at his desk. Their eyes met, and the Shadowkin greeted him with his ethereal mouth—a simple line of blue glow set against his shadowy form. “I was waiting for you,” Whisperwind said, rising from his chair. “I assume you're here for your guild quests, right?”
“There's that,” Nox replied, scratching his head. “But Thorian also mentioned I should learn more about Shadow Manipulation, and that you’re the best person to ask about it.”
“You've acquired that skill?” Whisperwind's eyes widened in surprise, his glowing mouth forming an 'O'. “That's exceedingly rare. Normally, one would need to be much more advanced in their class or belong to a specific race to access it.”
“A rare skill?” Nox's eyebrows raised in intrigue. “Does that mean it’s powerful?”
“It can be powerful, but it's not easy to master,” Whisperwind replied, moving towards the guild's exit. “Let's head outside for practical training. I'd prefer to avoid any accidental damage indoors.”
Nox nodded in agreement and followed Whisperwind outside the main building of the guild. They proceeded to a small adjacent training area, a space where assassins honed their skills.
Once at the center of the training ground, Whisperwind turned to Nox. “Show me what you’ve managed to do with your new skill. You must have experimented with it by now.”
“I have,” Nox confirmed, as his shadow morphed into sharp, tentacle-like strands. “I can do this.”
“Ah, using it as an offensive tool, interesting,” Whisperwind mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. He then transformed his own shadowy arm into a sword-like shape. “Indeed, shadows can be extremely potent in offense. However, that's not where their true strength lies.”
His arm reverted to its normal shadowy form, and he touched the ground. A circle of darkness instantly formed, centered around his palm. “Shadows are a gateway to another realm,” he explained. “When used correctly, they offer capabilities like this. Look at your own shadow.”
Nox peered down, his expression clouded with confusion. To his astonishment, he saw Whisperwind’s arm emerging from his own shadow. The shadowkin’s hand waved playfully, demonstrating the skill's versatility and power.
“What? How did you do that?” Nox's eyes widened in disbelief as he turned back to Whisperwind. “That's incredible! With this ability, you could eliminate someone before they even realize what's happening! Is it possible for me to learn this too?”
Whisperwind chuckled at Nox’s eagerness, shaking his head slightly. “Currently, it's too hazardous for you to attempt this technique without system assistance,” he cautioned. Gently withdrawing his arm from the shadow portal, Whisperwind picked up a rock from the ground. “If you're not careful, a misstep could trap you in the shadow realm indefinitely.”
He tossed the rock into the portal. Nox, driven by instinct, glanced down at his shadow, only to find no trace of the rock. The realization dawned on him swiftly; the rock was now lost, potentially forever, in an unknown realm.
“But there's a glimmer of hope,” Whisperwind said, his smile returning as he recaptured Nox's attention. “Given that you possess shadow manipulation, I can offer you the skill scroll for this ability—though it comes at a price, of course. The skill is known as Shadow Transportation.”