The Primordial Vessel System

Long Haochen stood beneath the gnarled pine tree in his courtyard, his hands clenched into fists. The weight of Li Xueyan's challenge pressed heavily on his mind.

For years, he had been mocked as a cripple, someone unworthy of even stepping onto the path of cultivation. Now that he finally had the power to cultivate, he had no intention of losing his very first battle.

Tomorrow is the Qinghe Village Martial Trials. If I lose, they'll say my cultivation is fake. I can't let that happen.

His Primordial Vessel System had given him a way to absorb energy, but cultivation alone wasn't enough. If he wanted to win, he needed battle experience.

He had one night to prepare.

And he would make every second count.

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Haochen sat cross-legged and unfurled the Void Spirit Art scroll once more.

The manual spoke about constructing a vessel beyond the heavens, but it wasn't just about absorbing energy—it also described a way to use it in combat.

> "The void is formless, yet within it, all things take shape. To wield the Void Spirit Art is to control that which cannot be seen."

As he read deeper, a technique appeared:

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[Void Step] – A movement technique that allows the user to shift their body in unpredictable ways, mimicking the weightlessness of the void.

[Void Burst] – Converts stored energy into explosive power for a single, devastating strike.

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Haochen's eyes gleamed.

These techniques are perfect for battle!

Without wasting time, he rose to his feet and prepared to train.

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Training the Void Step

Movement techniques were crucial in battle. If he couldn't react quickly, even a stronger cultivation wouldn't save him.

He followed the Void Step's instructions and focused his energy into his legs.

At first, nothing happened.

He took a step forward—and nearly tripped.

His body felt unbalanced, as if the energy in his legs refused to cooperate. Void Step wasn't just about speed—it was about moving as if weightless, stepping through the air as if one's body didn't fully exist.

Haochen tried again. This time, he adjusted his focus, allowing the energy to spread through his entire body rather than just his legs.

Whoosh!

He moved forward in a blur, covering several meters in an instant. His feet barely touched the ground before he reappeared further ahead.

His breath quickened.

It worked!

But he wasn't satisfied. Again and again, he repeated the movement, pushing his speed and control further. His energy drained rapidly, but each attempt made the technique smoother, more natural.

Hours passed.

The first rays of dawn began creeping over the horizon. Haochen's body ached, but his efforts had paid off.

He could now execute Void Step smoothly, moving like a flickering shadow.

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Training the Void Burst

Next, he focused on offense.

The Void Burst technique was simple—compress spiritual energy into a single strike and unleash it in an explosive burst.

Haochen took a deep breath, channeling the energy within his Primordial Vessel into his right palm.

A faint golden glow shimmered across his skin.

Then—Boom!

He struck forward, releasing the stored energy. A blast of force erupted outward, shaking the nearby pine tree.

His arms trembled. The impact was strong, but it lacked control. Too much energy had dispersed rather than focusing into a single point.

Again.

Haochen repeated the process, refining his control over the energy flow. He adjusted his breathing, focused his mind, and struck again.

This time, the force concentrated into a tight, explosive burst.

A nearby boulder cracked.

Haochen's eyes burned with excitement.

This is it. This is real power.

---

As the sun fully rose, Haochen stood at the center of his courtyard, panting heavily. His body was exhausted, but his heart was steady.

He had mastered Void Step, allowing him to move unpredictably in battle.

He had honed Void Burst, giving him a powerful finishing attack.

His Vessel Capacity had increased to 20/100, strengthening his overall foundation.

He was ready.

Tomorrow, when he stepped into the Qinghe Village Martial Trials, he wouldn't just prove he could cultivate—he would prove he could win.

His journey had only just begun.

But he would rise.

No matter what.