Chapter 6: The World's Gratitude and the Swift Path of Qi

The subtle yet pervasive changes across The Red Dragon Country, and the scattered reports filtering in from around the globe had created a low hum of unease and wonder.


People were noticing the brighter produce, the healthier plants, the slightly smoother flow of daily life.


They couldn't explain it, attributing it to everything from unusual weather patterns to government initiatives no one had heard of.


Jin Yu watched it all unfold from behind the counter of the convenience store, a secret smile playing on his lips. He knew the truth, a truth far stranger than anyone could imagine.


Days turned into a full week since he had spent his precious ten Evolution Points on upgrading Earth to the "Tier 1."


He had been nervously anticipating some kind of feedback from the system, a confirmation that his monumental investment had yielded more than just slightly more vibrant bananas.


He had even started to doubt himself again, wondering if the changes were merely coincidental, his mind playing tricks on him.


Then, as he was stocking a new delivery of unusually radiant-looking vegetables, his phone vibrated with an insistent buzz.


A new notification banner slid across the screen, its appearance different from the usual system messages. This one pulsed with a soft, golden light.


[Congratulations, Host!]


[Your significant contribution to the evolution of the current plane has been detected.]


[Global Environment Upgrade: Tier 1 initiated successfully.]


Jin Yu froze, his heart leaping into his throat. It had worked. He had actually done it.


[Reward Granted: +10 Evolution Points.]


His eyes widened, staring at the number ‘0.3’ on his screen suddenly jump to ‘10.3’. Ten points! Just like that! It was more than he had accumulated in the entire time since he had received the system.


A wave of elation washed over him, so intense it almost made him dizzy. The system had recognized his action, acknowledged its impact, and rewarded him handsomely.


Before he could fully process this windfall, another notification appeared, this one accompanied by the deep, resonant voice he hadn't heard since the initial activation.


[New System Functions Unlocked.]


[Planetary Scan Available.]


[Tier 1 Self-Upgrade Available.]


Jin Yu’s mind reeled. Planetary Scan? Tier 1 Self-Upgrade? This was beyond anything he had dared to hope for. He frantically tapped on the new options that had appeared at the bottom of his screen.


The ‘Planetary Scan’ function opened a new interface, displaying a rudimentary, almost ethereal globe of Earth.


Various points of light flickered across its surface, accompanied by cryptic readings he didn’t yet understand.


It seemed he could now get a sense of the planet's overall “evolutionary status” and perhaps even pinpoint areas of significant change or potential.


But it was the ‘Tier 1 Self-Upgrade’ that truly captured his attention. A new menu opened, titled “Cultivation.” Within it, the first stage was clearly listed: “Qi Refinement.” Below that, the option to rapidly advance was available:


[Advance to Qi Refinement Stage 9: Cost: 1 Evolution Point]


[Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment: Cost: 4 Evolution Points (Requires Qi Refinement Stage 9)]


Jin Yu stared at the simplified progression, a jolt of excitement coursing through him. To jump straight to the peak of Qi Refinement for a single point?


And the breakthrough to Foundation Establishment for just four more? This was an incredibly efficient path to power.


He tapped on ‘Advance to Qi Refinement Stage 9’. A confirmation message popped up:


[Are you sure you want to spend 1 Evolution Point to rapidly advance to Qi Refinement Stage 9?]


[This upgrade will significantly enhance your body’s ability to absorb and circulate Qi, the fundamental energy of the universe, and prepare you for the next stage.]


Qi, the fundamental energy of the universe… The manual’s cryptic words about cosmic energy suddenly clicked into place.


This wasn’t just about physical or mental enhancements; it was about tapping into something deeper, something fundamental, and now he could do it incredibly quickly.


With a surge of anticipation, Jin Yu tapped ‘Confirm’.


The warm sensation he had felt before intensified dramatically. It felt like a torrent of energy was now coursing through his veins, his muscles, his very bones.


He gasped, a feeling of immense power, still raw and untamed, awakening within him. His senses sharpened; the sounds of the convenience store seemed clearer, the smells more distinct.


He could feel a subtle vibration in the air, a faint hum of energy that he hadn't noticed before. This was Qi, and it was now a tangible presence within him.


Before he could rush headlong into the next upgrade, a soft chime from the system interrupted his thoughts. A new notification floated onto the screen:


[Cooldown: You must stabilize your cultivation before advancing further.]


[Time Remaining: 23 hours, 59 minutes.]


Jin Yu blinked, the meaning sinking in. His body needed time to adapt, to harmonize with the sudden influx of Qi.


Without proper stabilization, pushing forward could lead to internal damage
or worse.


The system had wisely imposed a one-day cooldown before he could attempt the breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.


He still had 9.3 Evolution Points remaining. The breakthrough to Foundation Establishment was now within easy reach, costing just four points. The thought of reaching that next stage, whatever it entailed, was intoxicating.


He glanced back at the Planetary Scan, the ethereal globe still displaying its cryptic lights. Now, the “Global Qi Density” map seemed more detailed, the hues more vibrant.


The concentration of Qi in the mountainous regions around the Red Dragon country appeared even stronger.


A knowing smile spread across Jin Yu’s face. The system was offering him a fast track to power, and he wasn’t about to refuse. The world had begun its evolution, and now, so would he, at an accelerated pace he could never have imagined.


He still had much to learn, but with the power of Qi coursing through him, the promise of Foundation Establishment on the horizon, and a full day to stabilize and prepare, Jin Yu knew his life had irrevocably changed.


He closed the upgrade menus, a newfound confidence radiating from him. The next step of his evolution was at hand.


[End of Chapter 6]

Chapter end