Just like usual—99%.

  I’ve been stuck at this level for a while. I’m just not sure what’s left. Something is missing. I just… don’t know what.

  Adam was lost in thought until he saw his mother sit up and walk to the middle of the room. She settled into a lotus position, and his eyes focused on her breathing—slow, methodical.

  She’s cultivating… just like how mages did in my world.

  He watched her inhale and exhale in patterns that might seem chaotic to the untrained eye. But to him, each breath was perfectly timed—precise down to the millisecond. Every second accounted for.

  And it’s working.

  She’d started cultivating two weeks ago after recovering enough from childbirth.

  Adam closed his eyes, ready to return to his studies—until he heard a knock. The sound was soft, ethereal. A woman’s voice followed, smooth and angelic.

  “Irina, I’m here.”

  Irina shot up with excitement and hurried to the door. She opened it wide, and in walked a tall woman dressed in white and golden silk. A heavy aura surrounded her like an invisible mantle. Adam’s eyes widened.

  Such a heavy aura… she’s powerful, for sure.

  The woman smiled warmly.

  “Irina, dear. How are you?”

  Irina grabbed her hand, joy evident in her voice.

  “Big Sis Solana… I’ve missed you! I’m great, healing slowly.”

  Solana smiled and stepped toward Adam’s crib. She gently picked up his tiny hand and studied his face.

  “Is this the famous Adam? He takes after you. That’s good—better than looking like his father.”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  She laughed and joined Irina. They talked for a while. Adam only understood snippets, but it was enough.

  She’s her sister… and the leader of another part of the kingdom. Larger than what my mom controls… interesting.

  Then he saw Irina lower her dress, exposing her back. Solana placed her hand gently there and closed her eyes. Suddenly, Adam felt it—energy flowing from Solana into Irina. Qi.

  And then, he saw it.

  Paths.

  Qi moved through her body like flowing rivers, trailing through vein-like lines. All of them branched out from one point: her abdomen.

  Of course! How could I not know?! That’s what I’m missing!

  Something snapped inside his mind. Understanding rushed in like a tidal wave.

  Qi... the way it flows changes everything. It defines who you are, how you grow, how you fight. It’s like I was blind, and now I can see.

  Let’s test it.

  To avoid risking his life, he chose something simple—strengthening his body. He closed his eyes and slowly pulled Qi toward himself. He stopped it at the surface—his skin—letting it settle, move, fortify, without diving deeper.

  This is it.

  A figurative smile bloomed across his tiny, baby face.

  My path is open again. It’s time to start.

  For the next two hours, he focused on this—gently reinforcing his body with external Qi.

  Then, he heard movement. Solana was getting ready to leave, her golden silks fluttering slightly. But before she stepped through the door, she paused. She glanced at him.

  A strange gaze. Long. Sharp. Knowing.

  ...She knows, doesn’t she? I’ll have to be careful.