Ki Meets Qi: Murim Reborn in Cultivation World

Riu Xian's world turned dark as the Supreme Elder's laughter reverberated in his ears. The chamber's shimmering light faded, replaced by an endless void illuminated only by the glowing figure of the elder's soul. Suddenly, Riu Xian felt himself being pulled into a strange, boundless space—his sea of consciousness.

Here, the atmosphere was heavy, saturated with energy that surged like turbulent waves. The ocean beneath them roared, its dark, churning waters reflecting the towering figure of the Supreme Elder, who hovered above with an aura of absolute dominance.

"This is where it ends, boy," the elder's voice boomed, his gaze cold and unyielding. "Your body will be mine, and your pitiful soul will be obliterated."

Riu Xian gritted his teeth, feeling the elder's oppressive force closing in on him. A golden barrier formed around him instinctively, shielding his soul from the elder's initial assault.

"You underestimate me," Riu Xian growled, his eyes blazing with determination.

The elder chuckled, a sinister edge to his voice. "You may have some resistance, but against my rare-grade soul technique, you are nothing but a lamb to the slaughter. Behold the power of the Soul Devourer Art!"

The elder raised his hand, and intricate runes formed in the air, glowing with an ominous crimson hue. The runes spiraled into a massive vortex, aiming directly for Riu Xian's soul.

Riu Xian's barrier trembled under the sheer power of the attack. His mind raced, trying to find a way to counter it. Just as the elder's technique began to tear through the barrier, Riu Xian felt a surge of energy deep within him—a latent strength he had never noticed before.

The elder paused mid-attack, his eyes narrowing as he observed Riu Xian. "What is this? How are you resisting? This technique is rare-grade, capable of obliterating souls far stronger than yours. You… you are not Riu Xian. Who are you? This soul… it isn't yours!"

The elder's words resonated deeply with Riu Xian, stirring thoughts of his past life as Hae Jin. I practiced tirelessly in the Murim world to strengthen my body, he mused, recalling the countless hours of rigorous training and Ki mastery. And now, through reincarnation, my soul has grown even stronger.

Riu Xian straightened, his barrier stabilizing as he looked the elder in the eye. "You're right. I am not just Riu Xian. I am also Hae Jin, a warrior from another world where we strengthened our bodies Ki cultivation. When I reincarnated into this body, my soul became stronger than ever. And with every step I take on the cultivation path, it will only grow more powerful."

The elder's expression twisted with fury. "Reincarnation? No matter! I will crush your soul and take what is mine!"

With a roar, the elder unleashed a barrage of crimson tendrils, each one crackling with soul-devouring energy. They whipped through the air, aiming to entangle Riu Xian.

Riu Xian's instincts from Murim took over. He focused his energy, summoning a glowing, golden martial aura that enveloped him like armor. With swift, precise movements, he dodged the tendrils, countering with sharp bursts of Ki that severed them mid-air.

The elder snarled, his voice booming like thunder. "You dare to defy me? I am an alchemist who once stood against your mighty Riu family and kidnapped your mother, wielding a soul of unparalleled strength!"

Riu Xian smirked, his confidence growing with each successful counter. "You may have been strong in your prime, but now you're nothing more than a soul without a body. I, on the other hand, have both—a soul forged through reincarnation and a body strengthened by the essences of three divine beasts and one legendary beast. You have no chance against me."

Enraged, the elder charged, his form growing larger and more menacing. He raised his hand, and a colossal blade of soul energy materialized, its edge crackling with raw power. He swung it down with devastating force, aiming to cleave Riu Xian's soul in two.

Riu Xian planted his feet firmly, summoning the techniques of his Murim past. With a roar, he channeled his Qi into a powerful strike, his fist glowing with golden light as it collided with the blade. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the sea of consciousness, the turbulent waters below them surging higher.

The elder staggered back, disbelief etched across his face. "What… what is this technique? Such raw power… it's impossible for someone of your cultivation level!"

Riu Xian stepped forward, his aura growing brighter. "This is the strength of Murim, combined with the potential of this body you so desperately covet. You've underestimated me for the last time."

The elder roared in defiance, launching another series of attacks. Pillars of crimson energy erupted around Riu Xian, threatening to crush him from all sides. Riu Xian, however, remained calm. Drawing on his martial training, he dodged and weaved through the attacks with fluid grace, countering each one with precise strikes that shattered the elder's energy constructs.

The battle raged on, the sea of consciousness trembling under the force of their clash. The elder's attacks grew more frantic, his form flickering as his soul energy began to wane.

"You insolent brat!" the elder spat, his voice laced with desperation. "You dare defy me? I am the Supreme Elder, the founder of the Cloudspring Sect! I will not be defeated by a mere child!"

Riu Xian met the elder's gaze, his expression calm but resolute. "You've lived long enough, clinging to your schemes and ambitions. But your time is over. This body, this soul—they are mine, and I will protect them at all costs."

Summoning every ounce of his strength, Riu Xian unleashed a final, devastating technique. He drew upon the golden martial aura of his Murim past, combining it with the latent energy of his enhanced body. A colossal dragon of Ki surged forth, its roar shaking the very fabric of the sea of consciousness.

The dragon collided with the elder, engulfing him in a torrent of energy. The elder screamed, his form dissolving under the onslaught. His voice echoed faintly as his soul began to dissipate.

"No… this cannot be… I am the Supreme Elder… I cannot lose…"

As the elder's form faded, the sea of consciousness began to stabilize. The turbulent waters calmed, and the oppressive atmosphere lifted.

Riu Xian stood tall, his breathing steady as he watched the last remnants of the elder's soul vanish into the void. Though exhausted, he felt a newfound sense of clarity and strength.

"This is only the beginning," Riu Xian muttered to himself. "I will grow stronger, not just for myself, but for the legacy of both my past and present lives."