The Awakening Unknown

Qixia Temple, Secret Training Hall.

April 9th, Saturday

"Battle Against Xi Lao"

*pant pant*

I try to catch my breath as I spar against Xi Lao, But every chance I get end up being a failure and he closes in. I leaped two feet backward just to meet him halfway. How? he was just in front of me. I attempt to dodge or block his attack but it was useless in the end. My body is on the verge of collapsing. He stares at me with his usual smile, only now it seems scary.

Soon enough I learned how to block certain attacks at the least, but how much matters if he's still holding back. A gust of wind blows against us when I look back he's gone. Then I can't move. He was right next to me and couldn't detect him. The wind was a camouflage!

Once more like all of our fights I lay still on the floor, my mind still conscious. Did I lose again? My body aches from the beating. The barrier is supposed to prevent any injuries they said. This is what I get for today. Suddenly, I hear Xi Lao speaking in the distance.

「Enhanced Hearing」

"Mr. Uzun has made some incredible improvements since our first fight. He's going to be a real monster soon!" Xi Lao told someone. The voice responded in an unusual tone.

"This boy, he's a weakling. He can't last five minutes against any of my students." She told Xi Lao. Who is this? I never heard this voice before.

Xi Lao sounded disgruntled with the woman's response. For the first time in thirty-six days of me being here, I sense a hint of anger and disgust radiating from him. His breathing patterns became unorthodox and his heart continues to skip a beat. For the first time, Xi Lao appears pissed.

"How about a challenge!?!" He said excitedly.

"A challenge? Of what kind?" She responded.

"Raid Battle! Let's see who can clear the dungeon first my Uzun or your girls. Whoever wins gets the bragging rights and ownership for an entire month." Xi Lao told her.

A gasp exits her mouth as if she's disgusted, but her heartbeat tells me she's rather excited. "Find but when you lose... you... you need to clean the entire temple with a toothbrush!" Xi Laos heart skips another beat. I can tell he's glaring at me, no rather leering at me. Probably thinking to himself "Is he strong enough for me to go all-in?" I open one of my eyes in the hope of showing him I'm not unconscious. A breath fresh air. As relief calms him.

"Deal! See you then." Xi Lao told her.

She scoffs and twists her head in the other direction. "Pathetic you can tell me your terms later, I'm leaving!" She walks out of the room leaving to go elsewhere. I lift my arm to find no pain and lift my entire body up.

「Healing Completed」

「Objective Failed: Land 100 hits on "Xi Lao" 6/100」

「Punishment: Minus 1 personal level」

To expect me to land more than six hits on Xi Lao is complete insanity. As my mother used to tell me years ago "Never let your limits stand in your way! Always break them. Because if you don't you won't achieve in life, just be stuck in an endless cycle of mediocrity and lies being told to you." No matter how much anger and resentment someone could have for her she knew what she was talking about.

My mother always talked about surpassing our limits and walking a righteous path. With her teachings, I wouldn't have the mindset of becoming number one in everything I do.

I snap back into reality. Xi Laos grin becomes intense and the ground is smoother than usual. What happened when I was knocked down? I asked. He told me it the ground polished due to her abilities and that he can't explain himself.

Xi Lao begin walking out of the room before turning around. "Oh, how silly of me! Happy Birthday, Mr. Uzun congrats to turning 19!" He told me. He leaves the room and all I could do was to bow to him.

「Objective: Reach Tier Qi Stage. Time: 04:59:53」

***

It's been three hours since meditating. I can feel myself reaching a new tier. I begin to break down the walls holding me back and taking them head-on. I have only 57 minutes left for me to tier up. I imagine a deserted Island, the sun blazing. My skin boils as four sets of walls blocks my goal.

These past few hours I only created a large dent. Barely enough to finish in time. I sit down to collect my thoughts. This is a world I created with my mind so I can break it. Right?

No, it's not that easy. This going to take time and patience. To get a correct Qi flow first I must obtain an even more stable blood flow.

The temperature rises and the sunbeams burn my neck. How much longer do I have to sit here? This is an imaginary sun, that I created. Yet it does more harm than good. I meditate in this created world. And suddenly I can feel my Qi flow cycle through my body. I feel myself gaining both physical abilities and mental abilities.

The water behind me roars, and the sound calms my every last nerve. Suddenly I feel myself falling into an even deeper trance. The heat from the sun that was once burning me now fuels me energy.

Energy endlessly surrounds me. And when I open my eyes all four walls evaporated into thin air. I glance up to see a sign saying congratulations on tiering up!

「Objective Completed: Reach Tier Qi Stage」

- Strength Level: 80

- Agility Level: 78

- Intelligence Level: 110

- Qi Amount: 97

- Stamina: 69

- Fatigue: 2

- Sense: 52

Current Power Level: 417

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