Chapter 117: Quiet Recovery
(Dear Readers,
I want to sincerely apologize to all of you.
My story may not be what you expected, or how you wanted it to unfold. I have added things without properly explaining how or when Lian got them or learned them. I also rushed some elements, especially the use of Qi and the Star Forge Core. I introduced them without enough foundation or explanation, and that was unfair to you.
Qi in this story is the universal energy that flows through all things — the spiritual power that cultivators absorb, refine, and use to strengthen their bodies, cores, and techniques. It is the foundation of all cultivation.
The Star Forge Core is the foundation of every cultivator — the central point where Qi is gathered, refined, and stored. It acts as the heart of one’s cultivation, allowing for growth, breakthroughs, and the development of unique abilities.
This is my first story, and I have made a lot of mistakes along the way. I know it’s not good to use that as an excuse, but I am still learning. I will be much more observant from now on and try to explain things properly as they happen.
Thank you for your support and patience. If you notice any mistakes or things that don’t make sense, please tell me. I really appreciate it.)
Lian was seated with his legs crossed in a deep meditating state, though he wasn’t truly meditating in the traditional sense.
He had returned to the Qi stone mine they had discovered earlier, the one they had passed on their way to the inner cave. The chamber was filled with glowing crystals embedded in the walls and floor, pulsing with rich, pure energy. He sat in the center of the largest cluster, surrounded by hundreds of the stones. Their light bathed him in a soft, radiant glow as he absorbed their Qi at a rapid rate. His body felt good — light, energized, and full of vitality. The depleted reserves from his earlier swing were replenishing quickly, his Stellar Circuit Star 1 core foundation drinking in the energy like a thirsty sponge.
He had thought about using his own internal Qi to recover, but coming back here was the smarter choice. The stones were abundant and pure. There was no enemy nearby, no one trying to take them away. Nobody knew about this hidden cave system, so there was no need to rush or mine everything immediately. They could leave the stones here for now and harvest more when they were ready to depart. Besides, cultivating directly from the mine was more efficient — the energy was fresher, stronger, and easier to absorb while still embedded in its natural source.
Lian’s breathing was deep and rhythmic. He could feel the Qi flowing into his meridians, strengthening his core, and nourishing the mysterious black liquid that now lived inside him. The cold presence seemed to enjoy the influx, stirring lazily but not resisting. For the first time in a while, he felt almost at peace.
Meanwhile, Elara was back near the spaceship.
When Lian had broken through the rocks hiding the remaining part of the vessel, they had discovered it was the top section. Elara now stood on a natural cliff ledge overlooking the exposed hull, keeping watch. The massive ship lay partially buried below, its dark surface gleaming faintly in the dim light filtering from above. She scanned the area carefully, alert for any movement or signs of danger. Her alloy limbs were relaxed but ready, her blade close at hand. She was waiting for Lian to finish his cultivation and also ensuring nothing approached the ship while they were vulnerable.
The last Qi stone near Lian lost its glow, turning into a dull, ordinary rock. He opened his eyes slowly and stood up, stretching his limbs and muscles. He felt full now — energized, stronger, and refreshed. The replenishment had worked perfectly. He began walking back toward the spaceship, his steps light and confident.
About a minute later, he saw Elara’s figure ahead. She was leaning against the wall, her back to him, keeping watch over the ship below. Something he had never really thought about before came to him in that moment.
How beautiful she was.
Even with her non-human alloy parts — the sleek cybernetic limbs and reinforced plating — she was still strikingly beautiful. Her posture was graceful and strong, her smooth human skin contrasting elegantly with the metal. Her hair fell softly over her shoulders, and the way she stood, alert yet composed, carried a quiet power that drew his eyes. For a brief second, he allowed himself to notice it fully.
What has gotten into me? he thought, shaking his head and pushing the thoughts aside. There was no time for distractions. Not now.
He continued walking. Elara turned her head slightly, sensing his approach even without looking. She had always been perceptive like that.
That’s good, Lian thought. It’s just like my perception skill. But I’m sure it’s different from mine. He remembered back at the academy, when he had been spying on her during her training sessions. He hadn’t realized she had noticed him until she spoke.
He walked up to her side.
Power Scale / Cultivation Realms (Quick Reminder)
Foundation Realm (Layers 1–9): Body forging, no external Qi.
Circuit Awakening Realm (Early–Peak): First Qi loop, internal bursts.
Core Condensation Realm (Early–Peak): External Qi release, short flight.
Stellar Circuit Realm (1–9 Stars): True flight, Qi armor, energy projection.
Nebula Dominion Realm and higher: Domain control, galaxy-level power, etc
Power Scale Reminder
Lian Yu: Stellar Circuit Star 1.
Elara Voss: Core Condensation Middle
Keep it as reminders
