Infinite leveling in cultivation world

As the first rays of sunlight broke through the eastern sky, a crisp ding echoed in Tian Jue's mind—

System Notification: Level Up.

He opened the panel.

Name: Tian Jue

Level: 17

Constitution: 25

Strength: 13

Dexterity: 12

Intelligence: 20

Wisdom: 25

Throughout the night, the system had rung twice, each time after a deep surge of cultivation. He noted the sharp rise in Intelligence and Wisdom.

"Most of those points… they came from refining and pondering the body techniques."

Now, with his first phase of body refinement complete, it was time to enter the second phase—tempering the marrow.

He took a deep breath and shifted his focus.

"Let's lay a solid foundation first... Then I can start reconstructing the five elements paths."

As he activated the Five Elements Scripture, another ding resounded:

New Cultivation Technique Learned: Five Elements Scripture (Earth Rank, Incomplete).

However, this time—unlike with the body cultivation method—no attribute boost came. The system remained quiet.

"No increase... makes sense," he murmured. "I didn't integrate it with my other cultivation methods."

Still, the technique responded brilliantly to his body.

His qi absorption rate was beyond what even he had predicted. Within a single hour, he had broken through to the first layer of Qi Refinement.

By midday, he reached the third layer.

Then—

Ding! Level Up: 20

Constitution: 30

Strength: 16

Dexterity: 14

Intelligence: 20

Wisdom: 25

Reward: Qi Core Stabilization Stone

Tian Jue's eyes lit up.

"Perfect timing."

The Qi Core Stabilization Stone was an incredibly rare treasure. Normally used during breakthroughs to stabilize a cultivator's internal qi, it could prevent deviation or damage to spiritual roots—a common danger when attempting to fuse or reconstruct cultivation methods.

He tightened his grip around the stone and smiled faintly.

"In my past life, every step forward meant gambling my life... All those reckless years, refining techniques under threat of death—it was all worth it."

He let out a low, hearty laugh. A genuine laugh from the chest, not just relief—but joy.

He glanced at the system panel again. The next reward would be at level 30, and based on the pattern so far, it would be even greater.

His eyes sharpened.

"Let's get there."

With that, he reached into his spatial pouch and took out the herb pouch he had prepared earlier. These were marrow-tempering herbs he had harvested during his journey.

He spent the next hour grinding, boiling, and refining the ingredients, creating a concentrated essence. Then, he filled a wooden tub with water and mixed in the herbal solution, creating a dark, steaming bath rich with energy.

Stepping in, Tian Jue sat down cross-legged, his body slowly sinking into the warmth as the medicine began to work its way into his bones.

Tiny pops and cracks echoed in the room as his marrow was tempered, purified, and infused with strength.

Hours passed.

When he emerged, the water had turned a murky gray, his skin faintly steaming.

He looked down at his arms, flexing slowly. He could feel it—the refinement was taking hold.

"If things continue at this pace," he said with a grin, "I'll complete marrow tempering in a week. This body refinement method... it's even more efficient than I hoped."

The Star Void Scripture enhanced his ability to absorb and convert medicinal energy, making the most of every drop.

This was just the beginning.

He stepped out of the tub and dried himself off, his gaze falling back on the rising sun outside the window.

A new day had begun.

Tian Jue stepped into the quiet courtyard, his breath calm, his focus razor-sharp.

It was time to train his newly acquired fist technique—

Seven Collapsing Mountains.

The description etched into the jade scroll echoed in his mind:

"When cultivated to minor success, a single punch will carry the weight of a thousand jin. When mastered, each strike collapses mountains and breaks rivers."

Most cultivators avoided this technique entirely. It required a physique of nearly monstrous resilience—more commonly practiced by bear-blooded beastfolk or rare body refinement specialists.

But Tian Jue?

His blood pulsed with certainty. He raised his fist and stepped forward, qi flowing through his meridians like molten iron.

Boom!

His fist slammed into the reinforced stone dummy.

Dust scattered. Cracks rippled across the stone.

Again.

Again.

Again.

For several hours, Tian Jue drilled each stance, each movement, focusing not on the surface force—but the internal compression and explosive release of energy.

His body groaned with strain. His bones vibrated. Muscles screamed.

And then—

Ding!

System Notification:

New Martial Technique Recognized – Seven Collapsing Mountains (Heaven Rank).

Progress: Minor Success | First Mountain Manifested.

Tian Jue stumbled slightly, gasping. Sweat dripped from his jaw.

"Heaven rank…" he muttered between heavy breaths, "even at minor success…"

He sat cross-legged in the courtyard and began to circulate qi to recover. The Star Void Scripture refined his energy, easing the strain in his body. After a short meditation, his vitality returned in full.

"Time to test the next one."

He rose and unrolled the second martial scroll:

Five Bullet Rain – Kicking Technique.

If the Seven Collapsing Mountains was raw, mountain-crushing force, this technique was its polar opposite—fluid, agile, razor-sharp.

The scroll described it as a fusion of wind and water, where each kick flowed like a surging river and struck like a cutting gale.

"Flexible like water. Sharp as wind."

The complexity was staggering. Even just executing the preparatory stances required total control of leg strength, balance, and elemental qi infusion. It was not a technique that emphasized brute strength—it demanded refinement, intuition, and elemental harmony.

Perfect for someone like him—

And yet, progress was painfully slow.

He spent hours moving through the form, again and again. His qi struggled to match the rhythm. His feet lacked the needed elemental fusion.

By sunset, his clothes were soaked with sweat. He had yet to reach the entry level.

Tian Jue exhaled slowly, wiping his brow as golden rays bathed the courtyard.

"It's not a matter of strength," he murmured. "I need to understand the flow... I'll need to spend time pondering this one."

Unlike brute force, this technique would require insight—a calm river and a swift wind within.

He looked at the setting sun, its reflection rippling through the courtyard's shallow lotus pond.

"Soon."

He turned and walked inside, knowing that with time, he'd grasp the rhythm—and when he did, the storm within his legs would sweep his enemies away like a flood.