My Strangeness Points were now 140.
Life companion?! The idea swirled in Chen Ming's mind, surpassing the limits of his wildest dreams' madness, even outdoing the absurdity of his own death. He almost staggered again, this time not from a shaky footing, but from the pure shock that twisted his stomach. The majestic dragon before him, whom he had just defeated ten years ago, now declared herself his "life companion"? This was no longer just irony; it was the most vicious cosmic joke, a scenario that even the craziest fantasy novelists would hesitate to write.
I... I don't even know what 'life companion' means in this world! I have no romantic experience! I even got rejected by Mei Lin! His internal monologue screamed, laden with ridiculous panic. How could he, a former high school student whose romantic record was a big fat zero, suddenly be bound by destiny to an entity as powerful and enchanting as Xian'er? This was too extreme a leap of logic, even for his brain that was already accustomed to strangeness.
Suddenly, the System's notification sound echoed in his mind again, saving him from the abyss of romantic despair.
[Ding! Mission Reward: System Starter Pack has been activated!]
[Starter Pack Contents: (1) Low-Grade Qi Recovery Pill x5, (2) Basic Movement Technique Manual: 'Light Shadow Steps', (3) Tian Xuan Continent Map (Beginner Edition).]
Chen Ming's pupils widened. Starter Pack? This is like the first loot box in a game! Although his brain was still processing the concept of a "dragon life companion," his gamer instincts immediately took over.
"Qi Recovery Pills? Must be to replenish energy. Movement technique? Not bad, so I don't stumble again in front of this goddess. Tian Xuan Continent Map? Now this is useful! At least I won't get lost and end up in another monster's lair!" he mumbled, his eyes sparkling at the potential of the items. The momentary blush and confusion overflowed, replaced by a surge of overwhelming curiosity.
Xian'er chuckled softly, the melody of her laughter filling the cave's recesses, as if she was observing Chen Ming's changing expressions. "It seems you found something interesting, mortal."
Chen Ming flinched, a blush returning to his face. He had forgotten that Xian'er was there, observing his every reaction. "Ah, i-it's... just... curiosity," he stammered, trying to act nonchalant, though he knew it was useless.
Xian'er smiled faintly, a smile that exuded the grace of a ruler yet an unexpected warmth. "No need to be ashamed. I have observed your... unique behavior. But now, let's discuss something more important."
She stepped closer, her noble aura enveloping Chen Ming, but now feeling more calming, like a warm blanket in the cold cave. "Your Half-Dragon Meridians are an anomaly. They are a fusion of my essence and... your strangeness. To master them, you must first understand Qi."
"Qi?" Chen Ming frowned. "You mean... spiritual energy? Like in cultivation novels?"
Xian'er nodded. "Precisely. Qi is the fundamental essence of cultivation. It flows in every living entity, in every particle of the vast universe. You have absorbed my essence, and that has awakened the Half-Dragon Meridians within you, giving you the capability to sense and manipulate Qi."
She raised her hand, and a tiny golden ball of light began to form in her palm, pulsating gently, radiating warmth. "Close your eyes, Chen Ming. Focus your mind. Absorb the Qi flowing around you, within you. Do not try to force it, let it flow freely."
Chen Ming obeyed. He closed his eyes, trying to ignore the cold in the cave and the presence of the majestic dragon before him. He focused on the sensation within his body. At first, there was only emptiness, then faintly, he sensed something. A gentle pulsation, like a very slow stream of water, in his chest.
"I... I feel it," Chen Ming whispered, his eyes still closed, his voice slightly breathless. "There's... something moving inside me. Warm... and a little... tingly."
Xian'er smiled faintly, observing Chen Ming's expression. "Good. That is your Qi. Now, try to imagine that Qi flowing from your Half-Dragon Meridians, spreading throughout your body. Let it cleanse every meridian, every pore."
Chen Ming tried to imagine. He felt the pulsation grow stronger, spreading like a warm wave from his chest, through his arms, his legs, to his fingertips. The tingling sensation turned into a kind of subtle vibration, like thousands of tiny needles dancing under his skin, but not painful, strangely refreshing.
[Ding! Detection: User successfully sensed Qi for the first time in an... unusual way. Gathering Strangeness Points from awkward cultivation process...]
[+8 Strangeness Points.]
"Huh?" Chen Ming opened his eyes, startled. "Even sensing Qi gives points?" He mumbled to himself, realizing Xian'er couldn't hear the System.
Xian'er looked at him with an amused gaze. "What is it now, mortal? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"A-ah, nothing," Chen Ming quickly shook his head, trying to hide the System panel that was only visible to him. "It's just... this Qi sensation is very... unique."
Xian'er chuckled. "Interesting. Perhaps that is fate's way of granting you an advantage for your strangeness." She extended her hand, and the golden ball of Qi in her palm vanished. "For today, that's enough. Don't push yourself. Let the Qi adapt to your body."
My Strangeness Points were now 148.
Chen Ming nodded, still feeling a little unsteady. He looked at the System panel again, his eyes fixed on "Basic Movement Technique Manual: 'Light Shadow Steps'". A ridiculous idea crossed his mind. If he could sense Qi, maybe he could try this movement technique? After all, he didn't want to keep stumbling in front of Xian'er.
He glanced at Xian'er. The dragon woman was now sitting cross-legged by the Spiritual Pool, her eyes closed, as if meditating. This was the perfect opportunity to try something "strange" without direct supervision.
Chen Ming opened the 'Light Shadow Steps' manual in his mind. Instantly, complex instructions on how to manipulate Qi to speed up steps and make the body as light as a feather flooded his brain. This felt much easier than learning physics on Earth.
Alright, Chen Ming, it's time to shine... or at least not fall again.
He took a stance, trying to mimic the movements he "saw" in his mind. A small step, then a glide.
Whoosh!
Instead of gliding lightly like a shadow, Chen Ming's body shot forward uncontrollably, hitting the cave wall with a rather loud "Thud!". He bounced off, spinning in the air in a very ungraceful manner, and landed... again on his backside.
"Ouch! My butt again!" Chen Ming groaned, pain spreading throughout his body. He rubbed his slightly dizzy head. "System! What was that?! That wasn't 'Light Shadow Steps', that was 'Ridiculous Wall-Crashing Steps'! I almost became dragon pancake!"
[Ding! Detection: User failed to practice Basic Movement Technique in a very... inelegant way. Gathering Strangeness Points from embarrassing failure...]
[+12 Strangeness Points.]
"What?! Even failing gives points?!" Chen Ming screamed inwardly, feeling utterly humiliated. My Strangeness Points soared to 160. "System, you're truly cruel! You take advantage of my every misfortune!"
Xian'er opened her eyes slightly, glancing at Chen Ming lying on the floor with a mixed expression of amusement and confusion. She said nothing, only smiled faintly, then closed her eyes again.
Chen Ming became even more embarrassed. He hastily got up, trying to straighten his crumpled robe, pretending nothing had happened. Damn, she must think I'm crazy.
He decided to postpone practicing 'Light Shadow Steps' for a while. Perhaps he needed more time to adapt to his Qi and Half-Dragon Meridians. Or maybe he just needed more Strangeness Points to buy an easier manual.
He glanced at the Tian Xuan Continent Map on the System panel. The map was very detailed, showing mountains, rivers, cities, and even some red dots indicating dangerous areas. This would be very useful if he managed to get out of this cave.
The world out there has changed a lot in these ten years, Chen Ming, Xian'er's voice echoed in his mind. Many things have happened. And you, with your new power, will be a part of the coming chaos.
Chen Ming sighed. Chaos, huh? He had just survived a dragon and almost died trying a basic movement technique. It seemed his life would never be boring again.
"So... what should I do now?" Chen Ming asked, feeling a little unsteady.
"You can explore this cave," Xian'er replied, pointing towards an unexplored dark passage. "There are some basic resources there. And I... I will watch over you. Tomorrow, we will continue your lessons."
Chen Ming nodded, feeling a little awkward. He still hadn't fully processed that he was now the "life companion" of this majestic dragon. However, one thing was certain: his strange adventure had just begun, and he was no longer alone.