Searching for Qi within his body was far easier than controlling it.
Each time Alex tried to draw Qi out from his dantian, it felt as though an unseen barrier resisted him. No matter how carefully he focused, the energy refused to move freely.
"Seems I'll need another approach," he murmured under his breath.
When he pulled at the Qi, only a single, fragile thread responded. It would slip into one narrow meridian and fade almost instantly. The amount was so insignificant it barely counted.
After several failed attempts, frustration tightened in his chest. Forcing it clearly was not working.
'I have to use different method.' Alex thaught.
Instead of pulling the Qi outward, Alex concentrated on the pool of energy resting in his dantian and compressed it. He pushed inward with steady pressure, as if stirring still water at the centre of a lake. Then, with a firm mental shove, he used more forced.
The effect startled him.
The energy burst outward like a ripple, splashing into countless thin meridians at once. It was not violent, but it was decisive. For the first time, he felt Qi flowing through his body in more than a single strand.
A slow warmth spread along his limbs. The sensation was unfamiliar, almost intoxicating. He could trace the energy as it moved, weaving through pathways that had remained silent until now.
Carefully, he began guiding it into a proper circulation.
That was when everything changed.
"What is happening."
A sharp sting erupted across his skin. It was as though every pore in his body had suddenly been forced open. Heat flushed through him, followed by a prickling ache that made his muscles tense.
Thick, black impurities oozed out from his pores, coating his skin in a sticky layer. The stench was unbearable, like something long rotten dragged into the air.
"Argh… W-what?" Alex try to think, what happening? What might be the cause of this?
But pain is not letting him think properly.
Although pain was not overwhelming, but it was persistent. It clawed at him, testing his focus. Alex clenched his jaw and shut his eyes, refusing to let the discomfort break his concentration.
Minutes passed.
Gradually, the burning sensation faded. The flow of Qi stabilized, smoother than before. The pressure inside him eased, replaced by a strange lightness.
When he finally opened his eyes, the sight nearly made him recoil. The floor was splattered with dark residue, and his clothes were completely ruined. The foul Odor hung heavy in the room.
He looked down at himself in disbelief. Every inch of his body was coated in the sticky substance.
"I need another bath," he muttered, grimacing.
Suppressing his disgust, he cleaned the floor first, forcing himself to endure the smell. Only after the room was restored did he wash himself thoroughly and change into a fresh set of clothes.
"it's feel good now." Alex said while looking around.
Then he continued from where he stopped however much to his surprise this time, when he circulated Qi, it responded instantly. Without any resistance.
The energy flowed smoothly through his meridians, obedient and natural, as if it had always belonged there.
A quiet satisfaction settled in his eyes.
Without hesitation, Alex picked up a talisman. He guided his Qi into it with calm precision. The talisman trembled faintly before a red glow bloomed across its surface. The light shimmered for a brief moment, then it vanished.
He lowered his hand and waited for someone to come.
As Alex waited inside the quiet room, a sharp knock suddenly echoed from the door. The sound broke the stillness and pulled him out of his thoughts. He stood up and opened it.
Mei Lin was standing outside.
"You need something?" she asked plainly.
Her tone was as direct as ever. By now Alex had already grown used to her straightforward manner, so he didn't find it strange anymore.
He rubbed his stomach slightly and gave a small, awkward smile.
"Could you show me where I can get something to eat?" he asked.
Mei Lin nodded without hesitation. "Of course. There's a dining hall inside the inn. I'll take you there. Please follow me."
Alex stepped out and followed her through the corridors of the building. The wooden floor creaked softly beneath their footsteps as they walked. The scent of cooked food gradually grew stronger the farther they went, and Alex suddenly realized just how hungry he actually was.
After walking for a short while, they arrived at a large open room.
Inside, many people were already seated at tables, quietly eating or talking among themselves. The place was lively but not noisy. The warm smell of various dishes filled the air, making Alex's stomach growl again.
"Here it is," Mei Lin said before leaving him there.
Alex found an empty seat and sat down. Soon he ordered several dishes for himself. When the food arrived, he noticed that many of them looked unfamiliar. Different vegetables, strange spices, and meats he had never seen before.
Curiosity mixed with hunger.
He began eating slowly at first, tasting each dish carefully. To his surprise, most of them were incredibly flavorful. The food was rich and warm, and with every bite he felt his energy returning.
By the time he finished, the plates were nearly empty.
Satisfied, Alex stood up and walked toward the exit of the inn. Now that his hunger was gone, a new thought filled his mind.
'I should explore the city.'
The streets outside were busy with people moving in different directions. Shops lined both sides of the road, selling items he didn't yet understand. The architecture, the clothing, even the way people spoke… everything reminded him that he was truly in a different world.
As he walked through the unfamiliar streets, an idea suddenly crossed his mind.
A library.
If he wanted to understand this world properly, there was no better place than a library. Books could tell him about the city, its people, its history, and maybe even the cultivation system.
There's no way a city like this doesn't have one, he thought. A place like this must have a library. It's practically necessary.
Still, a small doubt crept into his mind.
But what if this world doesn't have libraries?
Alex continued walking while keeping an eye on the buildings around him.
Nearly an hour later, he finally spotted a small stone building standing quietly along one of the streets. Above the entrance hung a wooden board.
Written on it were simple words.
Library.
"There it is," Alex muttered softly.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Rows of shelves filled the room, each one packed with books. The faint smell of old paper lingered in the air. It was smaller than the libraries he remembered from Earth, but to Alex it felt like a treasure house of information.
However, before he could walk further inside, someone stepped in front of him.
It was a woman who appeared to be managing the place.
"Sir, you need to pay an entry fee before entering," she said calmly.
Alex paused for a moment.
'Yeah… of course.'
He mentally sighed at himself.
'How did I forget something so obvious?'
Even on earth people charge for entering in library.
"How much is it?" he asked.
"The entry fee is two silver coins," the lady explained. "And for every hour you stay inside, another two silvers will be added."
Alex nodded.
"Alright."
He handed over the coins without complaint. Information was far more valuable than a few silver coins right now.
After paying, he finally stepped fully into the library.
The building appeared to have two floors. A staircase at the far end of the room led upward, but two guards stood firmly in front of it.
Alex glanced at them briefly.
'Restricted area… probably for more valuable books.' he guessed.
He didn't bother asking about it. For now, the information he needed was likely on the first floor.
He began walking slowly between the shelves, scanning the titles written on the spines of the books. Most of them covered topics he didn't yet understand.
But then one title immediately caught his attention.
It was placed among several other books, yet it stood out to him instantly.
'About the City.'
Alex chuckled softly.
'A simple name… but exactly what I need.'
He pulled the book from the shelf, feeling a small sense of anticipation rising in his chest.
Then he opened it and began to read.