Immortal's Paradox

The morning light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the clearing. Lei Chen sat by the stream, nursing his sore muscles. The previous night's battle had left him drained, but he felt a faint sense of accomplishment.

Mao stretched lazily on a flat rock, its golden eyes half-closed in contentment. Despite the cat's usual arrogance, there was an air of approval as it glanced at Lei.

"You didn't die," Mao said, breaking the silence. "That's more than I expected."

"Glad to exceed your expectations," Lei muttered, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "But if we're going to keep facing things like that, I need to be better prepared."

Mao tilted its head. "Prepared how?"

"For starters, I need to understand this world," Lei said. "The levels of cultivation, the structure of this continent—anything that'll help me survive. And while we're at it, I need a way to improve the Nanospirit's energy reserves. It keeps warning me about running out, and I can't afford that in a fight."

Mao yawned, stretching its paws before settling into a more dignified posture. "Fine. Consider this your first real lesson in cultivation and survival. Pay attention, mortal."

Lei leaned forward, his interest piqued despite Mao's condescending tone.

"Cultivation," Mao began, "is the art of refining qi, the lifeblood of the world. By absorbing qi into your body, you strengthen your physical, spiritual, and mental capabilities. The stronger your foundation, the higher you can climb. The path is long and treacherous, but the rewards are worth it—if you survive."

Lei nodded. "I've felt the qi flowing through me, but what are the actual levels?"

Mao raised a paw, gesturing as it spoke.

"There are several major realms of cultivation, each divided into sub-stages:

1. Qi Gathering – The beginner's realm. You absorb qi and refine it within your body. Most mortals never advance beyond this stage.

2. Foundation Establishment – Here, you build a stable foundation for future growth. This realm separates the weak from the promising.

3. Core Formation – You condense your qi into a solid core within your dantian. This is where true power begins.

4. Nascent Soul – Your soul manifests as a tangible entity, granting immense spiritual power and longevity.

5. Soul Ascension – A realm of powerful cultivators who can manipulate qi on a grand scale.

6. Immortal Ascension – The ultimate goal of most cultivators, where you transcend mortality and become a true immortal."

"There are higher realms beyond that," Mao added, "but they're so rare and distant that they may as well be myths to you right now."

Lei absorbed the information, his mind racing. "So I'm at the very beginning. Just Qi Gathering."

"Correct," Mao said. "But thanks to that Qi Condensation Core, you've skipped ahead a little. Use that advantage wisely."

Mao continued, its voice steady and authoritative.

"This continent is called the Azure Sky Continent. It's vast, with countless sects, clans, and empires vying for power. The strong rule over the weak, and ambition is the only currency that matters.

There are three main regions:

1. The Outer Lands – Wild, untamed, and dangerous. Beasts, rogue cultivators, and ancient ruins abound here.

2. The Middle Plains – Home to the major sects and clans. This is where most cultivators rise and fall.

3. The Inner Sanctum – A mysterious, highly restricted region where only the most powerful dare to tread. It's said that treasures and ancient secrets are hidden there, but so are dangers beyond comprehension."

Lei frowned. "And where are we now?"

"The Outer Lands," Mao said. "A harsh place, but also full of opportunities for someone like you. No one here cares about rules or politics—it's all about survival."

Lei nodded, processing the flood of information. But one problem still nagged at him. "Now, about the Nanospirit. It's incredibly helpful, but its energy reserves keep dropping in fights. Is there a way to fix that?"

Mao's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Your little machine is fascinating. It's not native to this world, but it operates on principles similar to qi manipulation. If it needs energy, the solution is simple: feed it more qi."

Lei frowned. "Feed it how?"

"You've already absorbed the qi of the Spirit Wolf meat," Mao said. "But there are more efficient ways. Spirit Stones, for example—crystallized qi left behind in the remains of powerful beasts or found in veins deep underground. They're highly sought after by cultivators."

"Spirit Stones," Lei repeated, intrigued. "Where can I find them?"

"In the Outer Lands, they're rare but not impossible to locate," Mao said. "There's an abandoned mine a few days' journey from here. If it hasn't been completely looted, you might find some there."

Lei's determination flared. "Then that's our next destination."

Mao chuckled. "Ambitious, aren't you? Good. But don't forget—power without control is a disaster waiting to happen. Before you charge off, practice circulating your qi. Learn to refine it more efficiently. The more qi you can store, the longer you'll last in a fight."

Lei took a deep breath, closing his eyes. He focused on the Nanospirit's guidance, directing qi into his body's natural reserves. Slowly but surely, he felt his energy reserves stabilizing, though the process was slow.

"Not bad," Mao said. "Keep at it, and you might not die as quickly as I thought."

Lei opened one eye, glaring at the cat. "You're really bad at motivational speeches, you know that?"

Mao grinned, its sharp teeth glinting in the sunlight. "Motivation is overrated. Fear works just as well."

As the morning turned to afternoon, Lei continued his training under Mao's watchful eye. His body ached, his mind swirled with questions, but for the first time since arriving in this world, he felt like he had a purpose.

Power. Freedom. A future.

And he would stop at nothing to claim them.