Immortal's Paradox

Lei Chen sat cross-legged beneath the canopy of ancient trees, the flickering light of the campfire casting long shadows across his face. Beside him, Mao lounged atop a smooth boulder, licking its paw with infuriating nonchalance.

"You've been unusually quiet," Lei said, casting a wary glance at the black cat.

Mao's golden eyes gleamed as it looked up. "Quiet? I'm simply savoring the sight of a mortal fumbling his way through cultivation."

Lei sighed, rubbing his temples. "You're supposed to be helping me, not mocking me."

"I did help," Mao said, stretching lazily. "I told you how to circulate qi. You should be grateful."

"I need more than that," Lei said, his voice firm. "If you really are a 'celestial being of immense power,' you must know some techniques."

Mao smirked. "Oh, I do. But why should I share them with you?"

"Because…" Lei hesitated, then groaned. "What do you want?"

The cat's tail flicked, a wicked grin spreading across its face. "Finally, a question worth answering. Let's see... I'm feeling rather unappreciated. A fine meal would go a long way in motivating me."

Lei's eye twitched. "You just ate some of the fish I caught earlier."

"That was sustenance," Mao said, waving a paw dismissively. "I'm talking about a proper delicacy. Something worthy of a celestial like me."

Lei exhaled sharply, muttering curses under his breath. "Fine. What do you want?"

Mao's grin widened. "A roasted spirit pheasant. There's a nest not far from here."

"A what?" Lei said, his voice rising.

"A spirit pheasant," Mao repeated, unbothered. "Their meat is infused with qi, making them a rare and delicious treat. Of course, they're not easy to catch. But if you want my knowledge, you'll have to prove your worth."

Lei stared at the cat, a mixture of disbelief and frustration etched across his face. "You're impossible."

"Flattery will get you nowhere," Mao purred.

An hour later, Lei returned to the camp, his clothes torn and his hands singed, but clutching a plump spirit pheasant. He dropped it in front of Mao with a scowl. "Here. Your ridiculous bribe."

Mao's eyes sparkled with delight. "You're more competent than I thought."

With a flick of its paw, a small flame erupted, roasting the pheasant to golden perfection. The aroma filled the air, making Lei's stomach grumble despite his irritation.

After Mao devoured its meal with unsettling speed, it sat back with a satisfied sigh. "Ah, that hit the spot. Now, as promised, I'll share a skill with you. But remember, knowledge is only as useful as the one who wields it."

Lei crossed his arms, his impatience barely restrained. "I'm listening."

Mao leapt onto Lei's shoulder, its claws digging in slightly as it balanced. "Movement techniques are essential for survival, especially for someone as fragile as you. The ability to evade, pursue, or position yourself can mean the difference between life and death."

"Start with this concept," Mao continued. "Qi flows like water, and your body is the vessel. By aligning your qi with the world around you, you can move with speed and precision beyond what is normally possible."

Lei frowned. "That's... vague."

Mao smirked. "Of course it is. A celestial doesn't hand over a perfected technique. Consider it inspiration."

Grumbling, Lei sat back down and began experimenting. He focused on his qi, imagining it pooling in his legs and feet. At first, the flow was clumsy, uneven. But with the Nanospirit's guidance, he slowly began refining the process.

"Distribute qi evenly along lower limbs... Enhance physical structure for balance..."

Hours passed as Lei practiced, his movements becoming faster and more fluid. By the time the sun began to rise, he could dash across the clearing with surprising speed, his steps almost silent.

As Lei caught his breath, Mao hopped down from its perch, its expression unusually serious. "Now that you've tasted success, let's talk about technique grades. Not all skills are equal, and understanding their levels will help you gauge their power."

Lei sat up, his curiosity piqued.

"There are four main grades of techniques," Mao began, pacing in front of him:

1. Mortal Grade – The most basic level. These techniques involve rudimentary qi manipulation, like a basic fireball or simple healing. Most beginners rely on these.

2. Spirit Grade – A step above Mortal, these techniques allow for more advanced elemental manipulation, such as large-scale flames or precise healing of deeper wounds. Some simple divination falls into this category.

3. Essence Grade – These are powerful techniques used by seasoned cultivators. They involve advanced elemental manipulation, such as controlling entire storms or rivers, and profound healing abilities that can regrow limbs. Divination at this level can reveal glimpses of destiny.

4. Divine Grade – The pinnacle of power. Divine techniques can manipulate reality itself to a small degree. Divination can unveil the threads of fate, and healing can save someone even on the brink of death, with destroyed vital organs or shattered souls.

"Of course," Mao added, "Divine Grade techniques are exceedingly rare. Even most immortals have only a handful, if any."

Lei absorbed the information, his mind racing. "So, where does my movement technique fit in?"

"At best? Low Mortal Grade," Mao said, smirking. "But don't feel bad. It's a start."

Lei rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"Keep practicing," Mao said, leaping back onto its rock. "And who knows? Maybe one day you'll create something worth bragging about."

Despite the cat's sarcasm, Lei felt a spark of determination. He wasn't just learning to survive—he was laying the foundation for something greater.

And as the first rays of sunlight broke through the trees, Lei resolved to push himself further, step by step, until he could stand tall in this unforgiving world.