The Primordial Vessel System

Long Haochen sat motionless on the worn wooden steps of his home, his breath uneven. The golden glow in his eyes slowly faded, but the sensation in his body remained—a warmth unlike anything he had ever known.

For sixteen years, he had endured the scorn of those who mocked his inability to cultivate. His sealed meridians had been a shackle, binding him to mediocrity while others soared toward immortality. But now…

Now, everything had changed.

He raised his trembling hand and focused on the notification that had appeared before him.

---

[Primordial Vessel System Activated]

Host: Long Haochen

Current Rank: Vessel Awakening Stage

Vessel Capacity: 0/100

Abilities Unlocked: [Primordial Absorption]

---

His gaze locked onto the ability listed—Primordial Absorption.

"What does this mean?" he murmured.

The moment he asked, a surge of information flooded his mind.

[Primordial Absorption]: Unlike traditional cultivation methods that channel spiritual energy through meridians, this ability directly absorbs raw energy into the host's Primordial Vessel. The vessel refines and stores energy separately from the body, allowing for unlimited potential growth.

Haochen's pulse quickened. This meant his sealed meridians no longer mattered! He had an entirely new cultivation method, one that defied the rules of heaven itself.

Determined to test it, he pushed himself to his feet and took a deep breath.

"Primordial Absorption—activate."

At first, nothing happened.

Then, the air around him trembled. An invisible force radiated from his body, and for the first time in his life, he felt something—the presence of spiritual energy.

It was faint, scattered like mist in the air, but it was there.

Haochen focused. He imagined drawing the energy toward him, into the golden vessel within his soul.

Whoosh!

A sudden pull. The surrounding energy stirred, spiraling toward him in thin wisps of golden light. It flowed directly into his chest, where he could sense the Primordial Vessel absorbing and refining it.

Then—Ding!

---

[Vessel Capacity: 1/100]

---

Haochen's eyes widened. It worked! He had absorbed energy for the first time in his life!

His hands clenched into fists, excitement surging through him. This was only the beginning. If he could continue refining energy, he could finally step onto the path of cultivation!

But before he could absorb more, a sharp cough echoed from inside the house.

His expression shifted. Father.

Without hesitation, he rushed inside.

---

The small house was dimly lit by a single candle. Long Tianyu lay on a wooden bed, his face pale, his body frail. He coughed violently, his hands gripping the thin blanket tightly.

"Father!" Haochen knelt beside him.

Long Tianyu slowly opened his weary eyes. "You're still awake?" His voice was hoarse, laced with exhaustion.

Haochen forced a smile. "I was training."

Tianyu chuckled weakly. "Still trying to change fate?"

Haochen's smile faded, but he didn't reply. Instead, he poured a cup of warm water and helped his father drink.

For years, his father had carried the burden of the Long Clan's fall. Once a powerful cultivator, now a crippled man living in obscurity. But despite everything, he never complained.

"You should rest, Father," Haochen said gently.

Tianyu nodded, but before closing his eyes, he looked at his son and whispered, "No matter what happens, never lose hope."

Haochen's chest tightened. He nodded.

As his father drifted into sleep, Haochen clenched his fists.

I won't lose hope. I will rise. And one day, I will restore our family's honor.

With newfound determination, he stepped outside once more.

Tonight, his journey had begun.

---

The Next Morning

The first rays of sunlight stretched across the horizon as Long Haochen walked through Qinghe Village. He had spent the night absorbing energy, increasing his Vessel Capacity to 5/100. Though it was still weak compared to true cultivators, it was a start.

But he needed more.

He needed a cultivation technique.

Though his system allowed him to absorb energy, he still lacked combat skills or a method to refine his strength further. If he wanted to grow stronger, he had to find a cultivation manual.

There was only one place where he could get one—the Qinghe Martial Hall.

---

The Martial Hall stood at the center of Qinghe Village, its grand entrance guarded by two stone lion statues. Inside, young cultivators trained under the guidance of elder instructors.

As Haochen approached, the murmurs of those around him reached his ears.

"Isn't that Long Haochen?"

"The cripple? What is he doing here?"

"Did he come to embarrass himself again?"

Haochen ignored the whispers and stepped inside.

At the center of the hall stood a burly man with a thick beard—Instructor Wei, the chief trainer of Qinghe Martial Hall. His sharp eyes narrowed as he saw Haochen.

"What do you want, boy?" Wei's voice was gruff, filled with impatience.

Haochen bowed respectfully. "Instructor Wei, I would like to request access to a cultivation manual."

Silence fell over the hall. The other disciples burst into laughter.

"A cultivation manual? You?!"

"How can a cripple cultivate?"

Instructor Wei frowned. "Haochen, you should know by now that our manuals are reserved for those who can cultivate. You have no meridians—what use would it be to you?"

Haochen's fists tightened. He took a deep breath and met Wei's gaze.

"I can cultivate now."

Laughter erupted again.

Even Wei shook his head. "Impossible. You were born with sealed meridians. You expect me to believe that suddenly changed?"

Haochen remained silent for a moment, then stepped forward. "If I prove it, will you allow me to choose a manual?"

Wei raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And how will you prove it?"

Haochen exhaled, then focused.

"Primordial Absorption—activate."

At once, the air around him trembled. Thin wisps of golden energy spiraled toward him, vanishing into his chest.

The hall grew deathly silent.

Instructor Wei's eyes widened. The disciples who had been laughing moments ago now stared in shock.

"What… What is that technique?"

"He's really absorbing energy!"

Instructor Wei stepped forward, his expression serious. He placed a hand on Haochen's shoulder and probed his energy flow. His eyes widened in disbelief.

"You…" Wei took a step back. "Your meridians are still sealed, but… your body contains spiritual energy?"

Haochen nodded. "That's why I need a cultivation manual."

Wei remained silent for a long moment. Then, he let out a sigh.

"Very well. I don't know how you did it, but a cultivator without a technique is a swordsman without a blade."

He turned and gestured toward a wooden shelf. "You may choose from the lowest-tier manuals. I will not give you more than that for now."

Haochen bowed deeply. "Thank you, Instructor Wei."

As he stepped toward the manuals, his heart pounded.

This was it. His first step toward true cultivation.

But little did he know… the path ahead would be filled with trials far beyond his imagination.