Alex stared at the swirling, crimson essence, a slow, triumphant grin spreading across his face. "Bingo," he whispered. This was it. The ultimate cooking tool.
He wasted no time. With the formless flame essence hovering before him, Alex retreated into his shed. He sat cross-legged on the wooden floor, reaching out to grasp the swirling fire. As his fingers made contact, the essence surged into him, a torrent of pure, unbridled heat that burned intensely but without pain. His body convulsed, his meridians flaring, and a deep, guttural roar escaped his lips as his very essence was reshaped. It felt less like a gentle infusion and more like being struck by a supernova, a violent, beautiful explosion within his core.
Hours passed. The sun climbed higher, then began its slow descent. Alex endured the searing transformation, his entire being alight with the power of the Primordial Flame Emperor Physique. Sweat poured from him, not from exertion, but from the sheer intensity of the elemental energy reshaping his every cell. He felt a profound shift deep within him, a stirring, as if ancient gears were grinding into motion. The air in the small shed grew heavy, thick with a palpable tension. A low, resonant hum began to vibrate through the wooden floor, escalating quickly into a deep rumble. Dust motes danced in the fading light, swirling faster and faster. The very walls of the shed seemed to creak, trembling under an unseen force. The water in a nearby cup rippled violently, threatening to spill.
He opened his eyes, a newfound confidence in their depths. He held out his palm, and this time, with a focused thought, a small, vibrant flame danced above it. It wasn't a wisp; it was a steady, controlled fire, its color a deep, pure crimson. He could feel its heat, its intensity, and with a subtle shift of his will, he could make it expand, shrink, or even change its temperature. This was far beyond any mundane flame.
"Perfect," he murmured, a genuine smile spreading across his face. He looked at the patiently waiting Dragon Koi. "Alright, my friend. Your time has come."
With the Blade of Fate Severing, he quickly prepared the remaining fish, slicing it into thick, even fillets. Then, with his newly mastered Qi flame, he began to cook. He hovered his hand over the first fillet, a precise, controlled heat enveloping the fish. The skin crisped to a golden perfection, the flesh inside turning a flaky, steaming white. The aroma that filled the shed was divine, a tantalizing blend of fresh lake and perfectly roasted goodness.
He ate. And he ate. The roasted Dragon Koi was even better than the sashimi, the controlled heat bringing out a depth of flavor he hadn't imagined. Each bite was an explosion of taste, and the spiritual energy within the cooked fish flowed smoothly, invigorating his body and mind. He devoured every last piece, leaving nothing but bones.
A satisfied sigh escaped his lips. His stomach was full, his body humming with newly absorbed Qi, and his culinary dreams were finally realized. He leaned back, a contented expression on his face.
As twilight deepened, painting the lake in hues of lavender and rose, Alex stretched out on the simple cot in his shed. The day had been nothing short of extraordinary—from a cosmic explosion to a divine fishing rod, from a sentient sword to mastering a primordial flame. He still wore his floral shirt and shorts, a faint scent of roasted fish clinging to the fabric.
He closed his eyes, but sleep didn't come easily. His mind raced, replaying the events, processing the sheer, unbelievable reality of his new existence. He was no longer just Alex, the software engineer. He was Alex, the wielder of divine artifacts, the master of primordial flames, the accidental cosmic refugee.
The gentle lapping of the lake against the shore was a soothing rhythm, but beneath it, his thoughts churned. What lay beyond this tranquil lake? The "Beginner's Guide to the Cultivation Worlds" had hinted at a vast, dangerous, and wondrous reality. Were there other cultivators nearby? Spirit beasts more formidable than a Dragon Koi? Hidden treasures, or perhaps, hidden dangers?
He imagined dense, ancient forests teeming with spiritual energy, towering mountains that pierced the clouds, perhaps even bustling towns or cities unlike anything he'd ever known. A thrill, a nascent sense of adventure, stirred within him. His quiet retirement by the lake was already proving to be anything but quiet.
A soft smile touched his lips. He had his shed, his fishing rod, his sword, and now, his flame. He was well-equipped, and for the first time in a long time, truly curious about what tomorrow would bring. With a final, deep breath, he drifted into a sleep filled with visions of unexplored landscapes and the promise of new discoveries. Tomorrow, he would explore. Tomorrow, the mundane would truly be left behind.