Chapter 001: Adventures at the Bottom of the Lake, Data System

The fist is like a powerful arrow, the back is like a bow ready to snap, the waist resembles the sinews of a dragon, the intent is akin to a fierce tiger, the essence is boiling, and the energy begins to emerge

After resting for a little over half an hour, Zhuge Xiang regained some strength and stood up, ready to turn and leave. Although cultivation is very important, the first level of the cultivation path is to refine essence into qi. The source of qi energy is the body's essence, so to comprehend qi energy, the quality of the body is crucial. Naturally, this requires attention to rest and a balance between work and relaxation. Otherwise, relentless and unrestrained hard training can exhaust the body, making it impossible to comprehend qi energy. In the Shura Sect, there are always individuals each year who exhaust themselves to the point of collapse, or even die from overexertion. Therefore, to comprehend qi energy, the quality of the body is very important, and it is essential to pay attention to rest and maintain a balance between work and relaxation. Otherwise, relentless and unrestrained hard training can exhaust the body, making it impossible to comprehend qi energy. In the Shura Sect, there are always individuals each year who exhaust themselves to the point of collapse, or even die from overexertion.

Could it be? Is this the legendary artifact? Left behind by someone in this place? Looking at the ring in his hand, Zhuge Xiang couldn't help but think to himself

As time goes on, more and more people successfully grasp the sensation of energy. After practicing for a year, I should be on the verge of understanding this sensation. In the last two weeks, I absolutely cannot afford to fail. Thinking of the tragic death of the old beggar, and realizing that this is the only opportunity in life, Zhuge Xiang took a brief rest, gathered his spirits, assumed the stance of the energy cultivation fist, and continued his practice

Although the young man was physically robust, he was still quite young. After exerting himself fully in a set of boxing techniques for about half an hour, he had gone through the entire routine from start to finish, and was already drenched in sweat, panting heavily as he came to a stop

Every year, the Shura Sect recruits 100,000 youths aged between 12 and 15 from the secular world to undergo rigorous training on the mountain. They practice a set of techniques known as the Qi Cultivation Fist. While the Qi Cultivation Fist itself lacks combat power, it effectively stimulates the vital energy within the body, refining essence into energy and fostering an understanding of the sensation of Qi. Zhuge Xiang is one of those 100,000 youths.

The magical artifact that only formal disciples of the Asura Sect can possess? After pondering for a moment, Zhuge Xiang could no longer contain his curiosity, and he extended his finger to put on the black ring

As Zhuge Xiang drew closer, he barely discerned that the reason the reflection of the moon in the lake was missing a piece was due to a mass of black light overlapping with the moonlight reflection in the water, which caused the moonlight to appear incomplete.

Filled with resentment, he stealthily took a dagger at night. Zhuge Xiang infiltrated the wealthy household and killed all thirteen members of the family. Soon after, a young man appeared and asked Zhuge Xiang if he wanted to become someone of significance, if he wanted to eat meat, and not worry about basic needs. Thereafter, Zhuge Xiang came here, to the Shura Sect

Even with good fortune, being able to enter the External Affairs Department of the Asura Sect and the *Library*, it is still difficult for Zhuge Xiang to accept being a menial worker who is summoned and ordered around by others

Zhuge Xiang has been at the Shura Sect for nearly a year now, and in half a month, it will be the day when the next group of youths ascends the mountain

Submerging into the lake, after a moment of calm on the surface, Zhuge Xiang finally emerged, raising his hand. A black ring lay in the palm of his hand, emanating a dark glow under the illumination of the moonlight

Having willpower is certainly a good thing, but among the one hundred thousand youths recruited by the Shura Sect each year, only a select few can truly comprehend the sensation of Qi within a year. Moreover, Zhuge Xiang's aptitude is not particularly outstanding. He practiced this set of Qi cultivation punches repeatedly until the early hours of the morning, going through it ten times. In the end, his physical and mental limits were completely surpassed, and while lying by the lake, he could not even move a little finger, yet he still felt no sense of understanding regarding the Qi energy.

Is it just a black light? How could there be black light in this lake? At the bottom of the lake at night, if it weren't for the position where Zhuge Xiang was standing, the moonlight on the lake would perfectly overlap with that patch of black light. I believe that in the pitch-black waters of the lake at night, this patch of black light would definitely be undetectable by anyone.

Squatting by the lake, Zhuge Xiang scooped up the cool lake water to wash his face. His heart felt somewhat heavy. He had practiced this set of Qi cultivation boxing for a full year, yet he still had not succeeded in grasping the sensation of Qi. With only half a month left until the annual recruitment conference, if he could not comprehend the sensation of Qi in this last half month, he would be destined to live his life as an ordinary person, struggling daily for mere subsistence.

The pain grew increasingly intense, and Zhuge Xiang, already exhausted, felt his consciousness becoming more and more blurred

Thinking of this, Zhuge Xiang, filled with curiosity, took off his clothes and plunged into the lake. Using the reflection of the moonlight, he closely examined the area with the missing piece.

On that day, Zhuge Xiang's group of disciples will undergo an assessment. Those who successfully comprehend the vital energy will be accepted into the sect and become official disciples of the Shura Sect. Otherwise, those with good fortune may remain in the external affairs department, serving as menial servants in the sect-controlled enterprises, ensuring their basic needs are met. Those with less fortunate outcomes will be expelled from the mountain, left to fate regarding their life and death

Look up at the night sky, the full moon is like a disc, but when you look at the reflection of the moon in the lake, there is a visible missing piece at the edge. What is going on? Why is the moon in the lake missing a piece? Could it be that there is some extraordinary treasure involved?

Since childhood, Zhuge Xiang has been accustomed to hardship. He cannot bear to look back on those impoverished days. As the saying goes, good people are often bullied, but in Zhuge Xiang's view, it should be that the weak are bullied. Just like an old beggar, who is inexplicably attacked by a dog and killed, this made Zhuge Xiang realize the importance of strength. Therefore, the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a disciple of the Shura Sect must be seized; he absolutely cannot let it slip away.

The formal disciples of the Shura Sect are all able to obtain a magical artifact, which often possesses extraordinary abilities. These artifacts are fundamentally different from the ordinary weapons such as swords, spears, and staffs found in the secular world, as they can emit a black glow. In Zhuge Xiang's view, it should at least be considered a magical artifact.

Speaking of Zhuge Xiang's origins, it can be considered quite tragic. He was left to fend for himself from a young age, following an old beggar to beg for alms, living a life of uncertainty with meals that were often scarce. It was not until a year ago, while begging at the residence of a wealthy family, that the master not only refused to give alms but also unleashed his dogs, which resulted in the old beggar being killed.

Just as Zhuge Xiang's consciousness sank into darkness, a mechanical voice faintly echoed in the depths of his mind: "Scanning bones, blood, iris... Physical condition qualified for binding... Countdown 20 seconds... System default... Binding successful... Welcome to the Super Game System... and * Book *"

Upon reaching the shore, Zhuge Xiang lowered his head to examine the black ring. It was crafted from an unknown type of metal, yet it exuded a peculiar aura, radiating a black glow, clearly indicating that it was no ordinary item

As he stood up to leave, Zhuge Xiang suddenly halted, and from the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the bright moon reflected in the lake, which was surprisingly missing a piece

The crisp voice, though somewhat immature, carried a strong sense of determination. Under the sparse moonlight, by the edge of a small valley lake, the solitary moon was reflected in the water. A boy, around thirteen or fourteen years old, was practicing martial arts by the lake, continuously chanting the formulas of his techniques. His movements, while transitioning and shifting, were relatively smooth, indicating that he had mastered this set of martial arts to a great extent. Although his strength was lacking, his actions still possessed a certain charm.

As the black ring slipped onto his finger, it seemed to come alive all of a sudden, accompanied by a prickling sensation that made Zhuge Xiang cry out in pain. Reflexively, he wanted to remove the black ring, but it felt as if it had rooted itself into his flesh, making it impossible to take off.

The Great Qin Empire, with a population of 2 billion and vast territories spanning tens of thousands of miles, boasts a strong martial culture. Nine major sects stand prominently, capable of rivaling the imperial royal family. The Shura Sect is one of them, and its power is evident.