Virtual Reality Cultivator-Chapter 26: The Newly Awakened Power

Ethan was still staring at his hand, faintly glowing, feeling the trace of the energy he had just used. His chest rose and fell, not from exhaustion, but from sheer astonishment.

"This isn't just a game anymore..." he thought. "I'm really using Qi in the real world."

Lazarus observed Ethan's expression and gave a faint smile. "I know this feels amazing the first time, but don't get too satisfied just yet."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Lazarus pointed to the wooden board Ethan had just struck. "You managed to channel Qi, but it's still rough. Your strike isn't stable or efficient enough. In a real fight, if you can't control Qi properly, your attacks won't have any effect on stronger opponents."

Ethan clenched his fist. He could feel the energy flowing through his body, but now he realized that just feeling it wasn't enough. He had to learn to control it perfectly.

"What's the next step?" he asked.

Lazarus crossed his arms. "Training. Lots of training. Before you can use Qi properly, you need to understand your own body. I'll teach you the basics of martial arts that will help you direct Qi effectively."

Ethan swallowed. "So, I have to learn to fight from scratch?"

Lazarus nodded. "In the game, you had the system's help. But in the real world, your body is what determines your strength."

Ethan sighed. He knew Lazarus was right. In Immortal Cultivation VR, he could read his character's stats, know when his Qi was running low, and even use skills that the system automatically triggered.

In the real world? All of that depended on instinct and training.

The Real Training Begins

Ethan's first day of training began with understanding basic movements.

Lazarus took him to a larger training room. The cold concrete floor felt hard beneath Ethan's feet, and around him were various pieces of equipment that looked like a blend of modern technology and traditional training techniques.

"Start with your posture," Lazarus said. "Balance is everything in a fight. If your posture is wrong, your attacks and defense will be weak."

Lazarus demonstrated a strong yet flexible basic stance. Ethan tried to imitate it, but within moments, his legs began to feel tired.

"Damn... this is harder than I thought."

Lazarus gave a faint smile. "That's just the beginning."

The next training session involved striking without Qi.

"If you only rely on Qi, you'll be paralyzed when you run out of energy," Lazarus explained. "So before learning stronger Qi attacks, you need to master basic physical strikes."

Ethan began practicing straight punches, elbow strikes, kicks, and evasive movements. His movements were still stiff at first, but over time, his body began to adjust.

Then, Lazarus added a new exercise—using Qi gradually.

"Now, try hitting the target while controlling how much Qi you use."

Ethan nodded and focused. He took a deep breath, imagined the flow of Qi within his body, and channeled it into his hand.

BAM!

This time, his punch was much stronger, leaving a deeper mark on the training board.

However, he also felt his body grow slightly fatigued.

"You used too much Qi in one attack," Lazarus said. "That's wasteful. In a fight, you need to be able to fight as long as possible without running out of energy."

Ethan nodded in understanding. "So, I need to learn how to manage my Qi usage?"

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Lazarus smiled. "Now you understand."

Cultivation in the Real World

After the physical training, Lazarus took him to a quieter room. There were meditation mats and candles dimly lit in the corners.

"Now, it's time to practice controlling Qi through meditation," Lazarus said. "Without strong concentration, your Qi will be hard to control in battle."

Ethan sat cross-legged and closed his eyes. He followed Lazarus's instructions, taking deep breaths and letting his energy flow calmly.

Unlike in the game, this felt more real, more complex. He could feel every tiny flow of energy moving through his meridians.

Slowly, he began to understand how to control the flow of Qi. He didn't just let it flow wildly; he directed it to specific points in his body—his hands, his legs, his core.

Lazarus watched him with keen interest. "Interesting... you're adapting faster than I expected."

Ethan opened his eyes, feeling his body fresher than before.

"I think I'm starting to understand how Qi works in the real world."

Lazarus smiled in satisfaction. "If that's the case, you're ready for the next test."

Ethan furrowed his brow. "A test?"

Lazarus stood up and looked at him sharply. "Yes. Training is only useful if you can apply it in combat. So, the next test... is a real fight."

Ethan clenched his fists.

"Alright. I'm ready."

The real world and the virtual world had truly merged for him.

Now, he had to prove that he could survive.

4o mini