After leaving the library, Hope glanced down at the little one cradled in his arms. Its bright eyes blinked up at him, radiating an innocent hunger. He sighed. “Looks like I need to feed you first.”

  The idea of feeding a beast wasn’t something he’d given much thought before, but now it seemed unavoidable. Fortunately, the jade slip provided by the sect detailed the location of the kitchen. It wasn’t far—just a short walk from his dormitory.

  As he made his way there, his mind wandered back to the jade slip he’d just purchased. Phantom Steps... The name alone sent a ripple of anticipation through him. Movement was the one area where he felt truly lacking. Sword techniques? His burgeoning sword intent would make up for that, at least at his current level. But speed? That was a glaring hole in his abilities.

  He clenched his fists, excitement bubbling beneath his calm exterior. The idea of moving so quickly and unpredictably that his enemies wouldn’t be able to touch him—it was intoxicating. Lost in thought, his feet carried him on autopilot, and before he realized it, he was standing in front of the kitchen.

  The building was modest compared to the grandiose library or mission hall, but it served its purpose. The scent of roasting meat wafted out, stirring the little beast in his arms. It let out a faint, almost inaudible meow, its eyes fixated on the source of the smell.

  Hope stepped inside and approached a clerk who stood behind a counter. The man, dressed in simple sect robes, looked up lazily.

  “I need to buy some food” Hope said, keeping his tone polite.

  The clerk straightened slightly and asked, “What rank of meat are you looking for?”

  Hope thought about it. The little one was small, and anything too powerful might be overkill. “Mostly rank 1 meat” he decided, “but add a little rank 2 as well.”

  The clerk nodded and reached into his spatial ring. With a practiced motion, he retrieved several neatly wrapped portions of meat, their faint auras hinting at their respective ranks.

  “Outer Disciples get a quota of rank 1 beast meat for free,” the clerk explained, handing over a bundle. “But the rank 2 meat will cost you.”

  “How much?” Hope asked, already feeling uneasy.

  “Ten contribution points” the clerk replied flatly.

  Hope’s heart sank. He quickly checked his badge, only to find the glowing number "0" staring back at him. A sharp sigh escaped his lips. He’d spent everything on the movement technique.

  Reluctantly, he said, “I’ll just take the rank 1 meat then.”

  The clerk gave him a slight shrug, handing over the remaining portion. “Suit yourself. Beasts aren’t picky—they’ll eat anything as long as it’s fresh.”

  Hope nodded and stored the meat in his spatial ring. He could feel the little one wriggling slightly in his arms, its anticipation growing.

  As he left the kitchen and started walking back to his room, he muttered to himself, “Guess we’ll both have to make do for now.”

  The little beast let out a satisfied chirp, seemingly content with the promise of food. Hope couldn’t help but chuckle softly. For all its trouble, the creature was endearing in its own way.

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  Reaching his room, he placed the meat on a small table and prepared to feed the little one. But even as he worked, his thoughts drifted back to Phantom Steps.

  He couldn’t wait to begin cultivating it.

  As Hope arrived at his room, he noticed a few disciples who had come to the sect with him, gathered outside, speaking in hushed tones. Their whispers were likely filled with idle gossip, but Hope didn’t pay them any mind. His focus was elsewhere as he walked past them and into the room, the door creaking softly behind him.

  "Go on" he murmured, watching as the little panther trotted into the room, its sleek black fur almost blending with the shadows as it darted around, exploring the space with curious eyes. Hope smiled faintly at the sight before turning his attention inward.

  He sat cross-legged in the middle of the room, the cool stone floor beneath him providing the perfect grounding as he focused on the task ahead. From his spatial ring, he drew out a small, smooth pill—the Vital Core pill. He held it between his fingers, studying its radiant golden hue, its surface gleaming as if it contained a universe of untapped energy within.

  After a moment of silent contemplation, he popped the pill into his mouth and closed his eyes. He could already feel the energy from the pill beginning to pulse faintly within it, as though it recognized his presence and was eager to merge with his Qi.

  Without wasting any time, Hope began circulating his Qi. Slowly, he drew the energy from his dantian, letting it move through his meridians in a steady, controlled flow. As the pill melted in his mouth, a surge of warmth began to spread through his body. The initial sensation was soft, almost like a comforting caress, but it quickly intensified into something far more powerful.

  The essence of the pill began to merge with his Qi, infusing it with life, vigor, and strength. His veins, already brimming with his cultivated energy, seemed to pulse with renewed power, as though each strand of Qi was being upgraded, becoming richer, purer, and more potent. The energy flowed faster, more freely, pushing deeper into the core of his being. His body felt as though it were being replenished from the inside out, as the pill nourished his flesh and his bones.

  Hope’s heart thundered in his chest as the power rushed through him. His Qi channels expanded, stretching wider and deeper to accommodate the new flow. Every inch of his body responded—the muscles tightening with newfound strength, the bones hardening with greater resilience, and his mind growing sharper as the spiritual energy coiled and uncoiled within him.

  He could feel his body transforming. The energy from the pill didn’t just enhance his Qi—it was fusing with his very essence, refining and purifying him on a level he hadn’t anticipated.

  The surge continued to build, growing more intense with each passing moment. Hope’s Path of Eternal Flesh resonated with the pill’s energy, amplifying the effect. The warm sensation spread throughout his entire body, filling him with an overwhelming sense of strength and clarity. His sense of self seemed to expand, his awareness sharpening to an almost surreal level.

  Suddenly, the energy inside him surged forward, crashing like a wave. A sharp burst of power rippled through his core, and with a deep internal shudder, Hope’s cultivation broke through to a new stage. The surge subsided, and he exhaled sharply, his body still vibrating with the aftershocks of the breakthrough.

  He had reached the mid stage of the Eternal Cinderheart Awakening.

  The changes were immediate and profound. His body felt different, lighter yet sturdier. His Qi had deepened, taking on an almost molten quality, swirling with a fiery intensity that wasn’t there before. The core of energy within him pulsed with an eternal rhythm, each beat sending waves of power coursing through his body. His meridians had expanded to accommodate this new flow, and he could feel the balance between his Qi and his physical body becoming more harmonious.

  His skin seemed to glow faintly, a soft warmth radiating from his body, while his eyes gleamed with a heightened sense of clarity. He could feel the power of his breakthrough not just in his energy but in his connection to the world around him. The room felt different, the air thicker, as though the entire environment resonated with the new strength he had acquired.

  Hope flexed his fingers, and for the first time, he could sense every pulse of energy coursing through him in perfect synchronization. Yet, as the surge of power settled, a subtle coldness crept into his heart, dulling the warmth of his emotions. The breakthrough had not only elevated his cultivation but had also left him feeling distant, as if a part of his soul had been numbed in the process.

  He looked down at his hands, his breath steady, and for a moment, he let the weight of the transformation settle in. The pill had done its work, pushing him past his previous limits. As the little panther curled up near him, sensing the shift in his aura.

  “Phantom Steps is next.” Hope muttered to himself.

  Patreon!