Chapter 5: Feather Scroll
As the black symbol on his palm shifted and pulsed, a thick, obsidian book—dark as ink—appeared in Zhang Yu’s hand.
“Feather Scroll?”
Staring at the two bold characters on the cover, Zhang Yu’s heart gave a slight jolt.
Then, with a flicker of thought, the black book flipped open on its own, without a breeze, revealing the first page.
“This is the table of contents?”
He scanned the list. Aside from the first line—“Prologue”—the rest were rows of blurred, indistinct characters, as if obscured by a layer of code.
Zhang Yu thought: So only the Prologue is unlocked right now?
With a mental command, he turned to the Prologue. On the left page stood a portrait of a person—Zhang Yu himself, legs crossed, eyes gently closed, as if in meditation. The likeness was astonishingly lifelike, almost breathing. The faint glow within the image pulsed subtly, and Zhang Yu realized it must represent the flow of his inner cultivation energy.
On the right page lay a series of data and stats:
Zhang Yu
Dao Heart Level: 1
Spirit Force: 7.7
Physical Strength Level: 0.83
Martial Arts: Jianti Thirty-Six Forms – Level 1, Martial Arts – Level 1
Daoist Arts: Basic Qi Circulation Method – Level 1, Basic Mind-Cultivation Method – Level 1
“This… is me?”
He frowned. “The stats here match the school’s official assessment—though it’s not precise down to decimals.”
“The martial arts and Daoist techniques listed… these are all the skills I’ve just learned?”
Of the four skills listed, only Jianti Thirty-Six Forms boosted Physical Strength Level. The rest were familiar: the combat-focused Martial Arts from his martial arts class, the Basic Qi Circulation Method from spirit force training, and the Basic Mind-Cultivation Method to strengthen his Dao Heart—each at Level 1, freshly acquired.
Zhang Yu stared at the numbers, murmuring inwardly:
This is the potential awakened by the Demon God? This book can actually measure my attributes?
But… there must be more.
The Demon God said it awakened my potential, but just measuring stats isn’t real potential. I get tested every day at school.
There has to be something else—something deeper.
With that thought, he focused his will on the numbers and shouted in his mind:
“Feather Scroll! Give me a boost!”
The stats remained utterly still.
Zhang Yu sighed inwardly. This Demon God is useless. No activation at all.
He flipped to the next page—only to find the words “Continued…” glaring back at him.
Recalling the incomplete entries in the table of contents, a spark of realization struck him.
What does this mean? Could this ability… upgrade? Maybe only after upgrading will the next features unlock?
He flipped back, concentrating again on his own stats, trying to provoke some response.
Then, as his focus locked onto “Jianti Thirty-Six Forms – Level 1”, the text suddenly trembled—then slid, pulled by his will, drifting across the page like a phantom.
Zhang Yu watched, intrigued, as he moved the skill name around.
Just as he brushed it against the portrait, the text froze—then, with a flash, was absorbed into the image.
A sudden surge flooded Zhang Yu’s skull, as if a cool spring had poured down from his crown. A strange, indescribable sensation welled within him—something like a deep, silent bond with the man in the portrait.
And then, the image stood up.
The figure in the painting began to perform the Jianti Thirty-Six Forms, moving through each posture with perfect precision.
Above it, a small line of text appeared:
Jianti Thirty-Six Forms – Level 1 +
Zhang Yu’s eyes widened.
Yes! This is it! My potential has truly awakened!
He locked his gaze on the tiny “+”, as if mentally pressing it.
In an instant, the symbol flickered, then transformed into “(0/10)”.
A surge of sudden clarity flooded his mind:
Complete ten repetitions of the Jianti Thirty-Six Forms to level up your martial skill.
Staring at “Jianti Thirty-Six Forms – Level 1 (0/10)” on the Feather Scroll, Zhang Yu’s heart pounded.
Ten reps… and the skill levels up?
But I’ve trained this form countless times since school started—never once felt any progress!
Ten reps… really?
He couldn’t wait.
With a burst of energy, he stepped forward—crack!—his body twisted like a coiled serpent, muscles exploding with force.
Though at school he’d used training equipment to amplify his practice, that was only for effect.
The Jianti Thirty-Six Forms was the foundational body cultivation technique—capable of being practiced anywhere, with or without tools. Practitioners could even tailor their focus—toward strength, speed, agility—depending on their preference.
Zhang Yu had once chosen a balanced path—neither a brute nor a speedster—so he’d remained lean and agile.
Now, in his tiny apartment, he darted back and forth, feet slamming into the floor with thunderous pops. His muscles swelled and contracted, heat building beneath his skin.
But before he’d even finished a few moves, a furious voice erupted from outside:
“Are you insane?! Breaking the house down at midnight?!”
Zhang Yu froze.
Damn. The rental’s soundproofing is terrible. Can’t train at night.
He looked down at the Feather Scroll in his palm, the urge to train raging inside him—just one full set of ten! One! Just one!
But where…?
“Wait… there’s an abandoned construction site nearby… empty, no one there…”
---
In the darkness of a half-ruined building, the sound of impact echoed through the empty stairwell.
Flashing neon lights from the distant street cast flickering shadows, and a lone figure moved in and out of the gloom—Zhang Yu, come to train in secret.
His expression was grim. He moved through the Jianti Thirty-Six Forms, each motion precise, each breath controlled. After several minutes, sweat poured from him, his body steaming.
He’d already trained all morning—collapsed from exhaustion—and now, without any supplements, pills, or nourishing herbs, the strain was unbearable. Every movement felt like his muscles were being torn apart.
But the vision of the Feather Scroll’s progress kept him going.
He pushed through—one full round completed.
Gasping, he opened his palm. The Feather Scroll reappeared, as if summoned by his will.
On it: Jianti Thirty-Six Forms – Level 1 (1/10)
A grin tugged at his lips.
This is it… my potential…
Leveling up to Level 2… is actually possible?
Tonight—I’ll do ten!
He began the second round—only to collapse moments later, limbs numb, trembling.
Can’t… go on… I’m at my limit… tomorrow… tomorrow I’ll finish it.
Just as he decided to stop, rest, and go home to sleep, a chill shot through his soul.
And then, a voice echoed in his mind—cold, mechanical, relentless:
> “Obey the ritual agreement. Strive to fulfill your wish. Do not deliberately slack off or delay. 10.”
> “Obey the ritual agreement. Strive to fulfill your wish. Do not deliberately slack off or delay. 9.”
> “Obey the ritual agreement. Strive to fulfill your wish. Do not deliberately slack off or delay. 8.”
The countdown continued.
The chill grew sharper—like something inside him was trying to burst out, tearing through his flesh, shredding his bones.
“Ritual… agreement… wish…”
Zhang Yu’s mind raced.
This… this is the power of the summoning ritual!
Memories surged back—the doll’s warning:
> “If you refuse to fulfill my wish… or delay, or fail during the process… you will be torn apart, your flesh burst open, your soul annihilated.”
Zhang Yu realized:
So this is why. Because I planned to achieve my second wish by studying hard, getting into a prestigious university, joining a great sect, and earning money…
Any lapse in effort—any hesitation—is seen as deliberate slacking. A betrayal of the agreement.
If I ignore this… I’ll die from the ritual’s backlash.
The countdown reached 3.
Without thinking, Zhang Yu leapt to his feet—screaming in agony—as he forced his trembling body to begin the Jianti Thirty-Six Forms once more.
And as soon as he started, the voice vanished—silence returned.
(End of Chapter
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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