《Beyond Talent: A Cultivator’s Tale》


 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 1: Eggs and Meeting

    The Soul Saint Kingdom, The sleeping giant region.


    The Sleeping Giant region got its name from its famous mountains that looks like a giant of a man sleeping, from very far away, it is the home of many beasts and human settlements along its vast range.


    The mountain stretched majestically, draped in a rich tapestry of lush, untamed greenery that cascaded down its slopes like nature''s own wild garden. Wisps of smoke curled skyward from hidden pockets, hinting at small, unseen villages nestled in the landscape. The air was thick with the scent of earth and trees, while the sky above shifted in hues of soft blue and gold. It was a landscape both serene and alive, a quiet harmony of nature''s power and beauty.


    In the outskirts of the mountain, a little boy and girl were climbing a giant tree, their final objective apparently being one of its branches at the very top of the tree.


    "Big brother, wait for me!" yelled the little girl who was struggling to climb the tree.


    The little girl had smooth, jet-black hair, tied into two neat braids that fall over her shoulders, with a few loose strands framing her round face. Her skin is tanned from working under the sun, and her large, almond-shaped eyes are bright, full of curiosity and innocence. Her cheeks are slightly chubby, with a hint of natural rosiness. A small nose and soft, pale lips give her a gentle and endearing look, though there is a quiet strength in her gaze.


    She was wearing simple, worn clothes of a peasant child, a loose, faded tunic in of a brown color, and wide trousers tied at the waist with a rough rope. The fabric is coarse, and a bit patched from years of wear. Her sleeves are rolled up just past her wrists, showing tiny hands that are a bit dirt-stained, a sign of her helping out with daily chores. On her feet, she wears simple straw sandals, though the soles are thin, and they are clearly well-worn from running across the rugged village. Despite her modest appearance, there''s an air of resilience about her.


    The boy, who appears to be older, has a lean but sturdy frame, slightly taller than his younger sister. His hair is black and straight, cut unevenly just above his ears, likely by his mother, with a few strands always falling into his sharp, dark eyes. His skin is sun-kissed from long days spent outdoors, and his face carries a few faint smudges of dirt. His features are starting to show the promise of the handsome young man he will become¡ª a straight nose, defined jawline, and thin lips that are often set in a determined line. His expression is serious for his age, but there''s a spark of mischief and adventure in his eyes.


    He was wearing a simple, short-sleeved tunic that''s a bit too large for him, cinched at the waist with a strip of rough cloth, and loose trousers that are worn at the knees. His clothing is the same rough, homespun fabric as his sister''s, in shades of brown, but his pants are slightly more tattered from rough play and climbing trees. On his feet, he wears simple, hand-stitched cloth shoes that have clearly seen better days. His hands are calloused from helping with farm work.


    "Little Xue Si, I told you we need to move faster so we''ll have time to run home," the boy urged as he climbed higher into the giant tree. His gaze was fixed on his target: the nest of the legendary King of the Skies¡ªa bird revered and feared throughout the region of the Sleeping Giant Mountain. The nest was cradled in a crevice on an impossibly steep cliff face, inaccessible except for a solitary branch of this gnarled tree that stretched precariously close.


    "Big Brother Xue San, I don''t think we should do this," Xue Si whispered, her voice trembling. "I heard Father talking with the men from the village. They said the last person who tried to steal an egg from the King of the Skies met a tragic end, and not only him¡ªthe entire village suffered because of it." She shuddered, recalling her father''s grave words.


    "Don''t worry, Little Xue Si," Xue San replied confidently. "I''ve been watching this nest for the past eight months. I know this bird better than anyone in our village. Right now, it''s out hunting and won''t be back for at least half an hour."


    "And if we can get the egg, and sell it¡ªjust imagine! We''d become the richest family in the village," he continued, his eyes shining with ambition.


    "But... Father said even the people from the city fear the King of the Skies. Maybe we should just go back," she said hesitantly.


    "Think about it, Little Xue Si. If we sell the King of The Skies egg, we could buy all the sweets you could ever want," Xue San coaxed slyly.


    That seemed to sway her. The little girl paused, then nodded silently, her resolve strengthening.


    They continued their climb in silence, the only sounds the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of forest creatures. Xue San reached the top first, perching on the highest branch as he waited for Xue Si to catch up.


    "Now Xue Si you climb on this branch right here and get the egg and I will carry it down" said Xue San


    "But Big Brother, why can''t you do it?" Xue Si asked, her voice tinged with a touch of fear.


    "I''ve told you already¡ªI can''t. The branch bends under my weight even without the egg. If I try to carry it, it''ll probably break. But you''re much lighter than me, little Xue Si," Xue San replied.


    She hesitated for a moment, but remembering her brother''s words, Xue Si gritted her teeth and stepped forward. Inch by careful inch, she edged toward the nest, where two emerald-green eggs rested¡ªeach about twenty times larger than a chicken egg. They looked as if they were intricately carved from jade, their surfaces shimmering with a captivating luster that only heightened their breathtaking beauty.


    "Big Brother Xue San, there are two eggs here!" she exclaimed excitedly.


    "Take only one, and let''s go," Xue San urged.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Xue Si nodded, carefully picked up one of the eggs wrapped in cloth, and slowly made her way back with caution. But then suddenly there was a loud screeching sound coming from above.


    Xue San face instantly paled, "Oh no, why is it here already" he screamed in his heart.


    Xue Si face instantly palled as if all the blood was drained from her body, as for Xue San, he felt like his heart had fallen to the pit of his stomach. They both looked up and there in the sky above them was flying in circles a giant of a bird.


    It resembled an eagle, except it measured fourteen feet in length, with four wings that spanned thirty-two feet. As if that weren''t enough to make any men tremble in fear, its beak and talons appeared to be made of dark green jade, capable of tearing through flesh as easily as a sword cuts through paper.


    After emitting a deafening screech, the king of the sky plummeted toward the children. Xue Si was so overwhelmed with terror that even before the bird began its dive, her strength abandoned her, and she fell.


    When Xue San saw what was happening, he didn''t hesitate. His body reacted instinctively, leaping after Xue Si without a second thought. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her close, enveloping her in a protective embrace. Positioning himself between her and the unforgiving ground, he braced for impact, hoping to shield his little sister from harm with his own body. In that moment, his only thought was to save her, driven by a fierce love that transcended fear.


    They were accelerating, the ground rushing up to meet them, but for Xue San, time stretched impossibly slow. He gazed upward at the looming beast, its massive form hurtling closer. In his heart, he recognized the truth: his own greed and foolishness had led them into this perilous situation. All he could do was hope that his little sister would emerge from this alive.


    At that moment, a low humming sound pierced the air, followed by a sharp "shing." Time seemed to freeze, and he felt as though he were encased in a bubble of stillness. Turning his gaze back, he watched in disbelief as the colossal bird halted, its head tilting to one side before collapsing to the ground.


    The blood started gushing out of the giant bird''s neck splattering all over Xue Si''s back and Xue San''s face.


    "Eh? Master, why did you kill it? Finding the green jade eagle after it fleed was an extraordinary stroke of luck for us!"


    Suddenly, Xue San heard voices drifting down from above. Startled, he looked up and, to his astonishment, saw two figures hovering in the air where the bird had been just moments before.


    "Hmm, Huo Xing, that scoundrel only escaped us because of this cursed mountain that suppresses spiritual senses. Otherwise, how could he have fled from me?" replied an older voice.


    Xue San was start startled by the two people standing in the air.


    One was an old man, he had an air of wisdom and strength, his presence commanding respect even in his age. His hair, once likely thick and dark, is now a pure, shimmering white, falling loosely to his shoulders, giving him a sage-like aura. His small, neatly trimmed goatee is also white, accentuating the sharp angles of his triangular-shaped face. His high cheekbones and narrow chin, along with his thin, pointed nose, gave his features an almost hawk-like sharpness, while his eyes¡ªstill bright and filled with the knowledge of countless years¡ªglow with a faint light of power. His skin is pale and wrinkled with age, though his posture remains tall and steady, a sign of his cultivated vitality.


    He was wearing a light yellow robe, its fabric light yet luxurious, flowing gracefully with each movement. Embroidered on his wide sleeves are intricate patterns of furnaces. The embroidery was done in darker shades of gold and orange, the furnaces flickering as if alive. Four golden stars are emblazoned on the chest of his robe, these stars shine with a subdued brilliance, not ostentatious but clearly marking his status.


    Around his waist is a belt of deep brown leather, with small pouches. His gaze is both piercing and gentle, as if he can see through to the soul of anyone he meets, yet he offers a sense of calm wisdom to those he chooses to guide.


    As for the other one, it was a girl who appeared to be a 16 or 17-year-old girl. Her long, flowing hair is an intense shade of red, cascading down her back in silky waves that gleam like fire under the light. Her hair is meticulously maintained, tied up with intricate golden hairpins and jade ornaments, though a few strands always seem to fall loose around her face, adding a touch of softness to her otherwise commanding presence. Her eyes are a deep, mesmerizing crimson. They gleam with sharp intelligence and focus, giving her a mysterious, otherworldly aura.


    Her face is delicately sculpted, with high cheekbones, a sharp but graceful chin, and full lips that rarely smile, keeping a composed and slightly aloof expression. Her skin is fair and smooth, a contrast to her vivid hair and eyes, and there''s an ethereal quality to her beauty. Despite her youth, there''s a maturity in her gaze, hinting that she has a noble status.


    She was wearing a flowing robe of fine silk, a deep crimson that matched her hair, adorned with golden embroidery that depicts swirling clouds and ancient symbols of power. The robe is elegant yet practical, allowing freedom of movement. Over her robe, she wears a sleeveless overcoat in black, embroidered with delicate silver and red threads that shimmer subtly with every movement. A finely crafted sword, sheathed in a lacquered scabbard, hangs at her waist, the hilt wrapped in red silk. Around her neck rests a jade pendant, engraved with an insignia, of a bird in flames.


    ----


    "


    "But even so, Master, why kill it?" the girl pressed, her eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and pity.


    "Hmph, what do you know, little Mei?" the old man retorted. "Do you understand why this green jade eagle is so rare?"


    She shook her head. "No."


    "There are various reasons," he began. "First, though it''s only a two-star beast, it can reach speeds rivaling a three-star beast. Being a flying creature, it naturally possesses an exceptional talent for speed. Second, their beaks and talons are highly valuable key ingredients for certain rank 3 and even some rank 4 pills. And third, and perhaps most importantly, if it senses its freedom is in jeopardy, it will ignite a peculiar power, causing its two eggs to perish before they can ever hatch, of course, it has to be within a certain range of the eggs. After that, its own death is guaranteed. That''s why hunting it near its nest is damn near impossible."


    The young woman was perplexed by the old man''s explanation. Then a thought struck her. "But Master, why didn''t it use its ability this time?"


    The old man grinned slyly. "It''s probably because of those little fellows down there."


    -------


    With a mere flick of his sleeve, the old man and the young woman vanished from the air and materialized before Xue San and his sister, who were suspended as if by invisible hands. Xue San''s eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of the two figures who, moments ago, had been distant silhouettes against the sky and now stood mere steps away. Little Xue Si had already fainted, overwhelmed by the torrent of emotions she had endured.


    "So, little fellow, will you hand me that egg?" the old man asked, a wide grin stretching across his wrinkled face.


    A spark of greed ignited in Xue San''s eyes. In an instant, a whirlwind of thoughts raced through his mind. "These are legendary immortals¡ªtrue immortals who can fly," he marveled. "If I play this right, I could gain something far greater than mere money from selling this egg. I must be careful with what I say."

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 2: Giving Gold to Those who Wont Use It.

    "So, little fellow, will you hand me that egg?" the old man asked, a wide grin stretching across his wrinkled face.


    A spark of greed ignited in Xue San''s eyes. In an instant, a whirlwind of thoughts raced through his mind. "These are legendary immortals¡ªtrue immortals who can fly," he marveled. "If I play this right, I could gain something far greater than mere money from selling this egg. I must be careful with what I say."


    Carefully laying his sister on the ground, Xue San kept his eyes fixed on the old man and the young woman. He had heard tales of legendary immortals who lived beyond his village¡ªbeings who could flatten mountains or summon rain and thunder with a mere gesture. Such myths had always seemed distant and unreal, but now two of these exalted figures stood right before him.


    "Think, Xue San, think," he told himself. "First, they are immortal beings with unimaginable power¡ªthey slew the King of the Skies as effortlessly as killing a chicken. Second, they didn''t kill me or little Xue Si when they saw the eggs. Third, they saved us¡ªbut was it to protect us or just to retrieve the egg we have? And fourth¡ªand perhaps most importantly¡ªwhen figures of their immense power and prestige deal with someone of lowly status like mine, they don''t need to kill us. Maybe it''s because they don''t want to dirty themselves with something so beneath them. That might be why they''re asking for the egg instead of taking it by force. If they''re asking, they might be willing to pay something, even if its something useless to them I don''t mind, even a low-rank item from these immortals would be worth a fortune. Yes, I should take the risk. After all, it''s not as if I would truly be selling the egg; it would be more like them throwing a bone to a dog."


    His mind raced, thoughts tumbling over one another in rapid succession. Ever since he was little, Xue San''s intellect had been sharper than that of his peers; at the tender age of six, he already knew how to seize every possible opportunity. Now, his instincts screamed that this was a chance he couldn''t afford to miss.


    "Hey, little fellow, what are you pondering so deeply? Hand over that egg," the old man demanded again, his keen eyes locked onto Xue San.


    Xue San gritted his teeth and with a trembling voice said "N... No."


    The old man was visibly taken aback by Xue San''s response; after all, for someone of his status, refusal was a rarity¡ªa word he hadn''t heard in ages.


    Though surprised, he felt no anger or irritation; instead, a faint amusement flickered in his eyes as he regarded the boy standing before him. The same, however, could not be said for the young woman at his side.Her delicate features hardened into a frown, and she let out a disdainful snort. "Hmph!"


    The mere sound of her contempt sent a jolt through Xue San''s body, as if he''d been struck by an invisible hammer. He staggered backward, his face draining of color, a thin stream of blood seeping from his nose and mouth. Damn it, I''ve miscalculated¡ªthey''ll kill me and Xue Si. Damn it, damn it! He screamed silently within his mind.


    "Huo Xing, stand down," the old man commanded, turning to the young woman with a stern gaze.


    "We saved their lives, and yet this one demands payment for something we could obtain without effort," she retorted, her voice dripping with contempt.


    "Ah, Huo Xing," the old man sighed, "I''ve told you before¡ªyou excel in every way but for that icy demeanor of yours. Mark my words, you''ll end up alone like this old man if you don''t soften your ways."


    Huo Xing''s frown deepened, but she held her tongue. The old man then turned back to Xue San, waving a hand gently. A soothing warmth enveloped the boy, washing away his pain in an instant.


    "Little boy, my apologies. This little lass can be quite fierce at times, but she has a good heart beneath that stern exterior."


    "Master!" Huo Xing protested, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks.


    "Alright, alright, I''ll stop," he chuckled. "So, little boy, you wish to sell me that egg. But consider this: my apprentice is correct¡ªwe saved your life and that of your sister. Shouldn''t you offer me the egg as a token of gratitude? Moreover, I just healed you after you angered my disciple. Don''t you think you owe me?"


    Observing the unfolding scene, Xue San felt a surge of relief¡ªperhaps his gamble was paying off. Noting the glint of amusement in the old man''s eyes, he realized there was a chance his boldness might bear fruit.


    "That''s true," Xue San conceded, "but I also heard you only found the King of the Skies because of us. You were able to kill him because we stole his egg. From your conversation with the immortal goddess beside you, it seems it would have been impossible without our distraction."


    The old man''s grin widened at Xue San''s words. He cast a sidelong glance at his disciple, who appeared somewhat mollified by the boy''s reasoning, before turning back to face him.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Well then," he said amiably, "no need for this old man to quibble with a young lad. Tell me, what do you desire in exchange for that egg?"


    Yes, success! Xue San thought, elation stirring within him. But I must tread carefully. To this old man, I''m likely no more than a performing monkey or a clever dog.


    "Then... could you make me an immortal like yourself?" Xue San asked, hope lighting his eyes.


    The old man raised an eyebrow at the bold request, then burst into hearty laughter. "Hahaha! Little one, you''re asking for a kingdom in exchange for a mere chicken egg. It would be simpler for me to take the egg and be on my way." His voice grew colder, a chilling edge creeping into his words.


    Xue San felt an icy chill envelop him, the air growing heavy with an unspoken threat. "Wait... then could you at least teach me something that might help me become an immortal... please?" he implored, his voice tinged with desperation.


    "Now, now, little one," the old man said, the coldness dissipating. "Don''t speak as if I intended to harm you. This old man has a reputation to maintain. Very well, give me your hand; let me examine something." He took Xue San''s hand, placing two fingers on his wrist.


    After a few moments, a frown creased his brow before he released the boy''s hand.


    Yes! Xue San thought triumphantly. Always ask for the impossible first; then, when you settle for something less, they''re more likely to concede.


    "Little boy, you''re in luck¡ªI see you have great talent, you even have the potential to become an alchemist," the old man announced, a grin spreading across his face. "Alchemists are among the most revered professions in our world. They craft pills that can transform even the lowliest of mortals into a mighty immortal," he added, his voice grave with significance.


    The young woman was taken aback by the old man''s words. She stepped forward and grasped Xue San''s hand, placing her fingers lightly on his wrist. After a moment, she released him, casting a peculiar glance between Xue San and the old man. Without a word, she retreated to her original position, her expression once again indifferent.


    Xue San noticed the look she gave him but couldn''t decipher its meaning, so he chose to ignore it.


    "Well, pay no mind to my disciple here," the old man said with a grin. "She was just too excited to see another person with the talent to become an alchemist. Let''s see... ah, here we are." With a move if his hand, a thick book materialized in his hand.


    The tome was bound in deep crimson silk, and adorned with intricate gold runes and jade motifs symbolizing elemental forces. Its delicate parchment pages featured scripts and vivid illustrations of mystical ingredients and alchemical symbols. The book emanated a faint herbal fragrance, exuding timeless wisdom and immortal magic.


    "This book is called The Compendium of Alchemy: Volume One. It''s the very book that guided me when I embarked on my path of cultivation as an alchemist. I stand here today because of it," the old man said solemnly.


    Xue San''s eyes lit up at the sight. He reached out eagerly, but the old man held up a hand.


    "Listen well, little fellow," he said sternly. "If anyone discovers you possess this book, not only you but your entire village will be destroyed in the pursuit of it. So, no matter what, do not show it to anyone."


    His eyes widened, hands trembling slightly, but he accepted the book nonetheless. He then retrieved the egg from the still-sleeping Xue Si and handed it over to the old man.


    "Thank you very much, Immortals, for granting me this opportunity. One day, I promise I will repay this kindness tenfold," Xue San said, bowing deeply to the two cultivators before him. He carefully wrapped the book in a piece of cloth, hoisted Xue Si onto his back, and began his descent down the mountain, aware that his life would never be the same¡ªthat he now had a chance to reach beyond his village, beyond this kingdom, perhaps even beyond this world.


    As Xue San made his way down, the old man and Huo Xing departed as well, carrying the two eggs.


    While traversing the skies, Huo Xing frequently glanced at her master, then back toward Xue


    San, as if wanting to speak but unsure how to begin.


    "You''re curious as to why I gave that book to the boy, aren''t you?" the old man finally said.


    "Yes, Master, besides, that book... " she hesitated.


    "Well, I don''t need anymore so."


    "But Master..." Huo Xing began hesitantly.


    "I know what you''re thinking¡ªhis talent," the old man said thoughtfully.


    "Yes, it''s abysmal. His constitution is simply too weak to withstand the demands of cultivation. No sect in this entire world would invest resources to nurture such meager potential. Plus, his meridians are all clogged... even the book you gave him may bring him more trouble than benefit"


    The old man chuckled softly. "Ah, you little lass, so you were harsh on the boy, yet you actually care about him."


    "As for giving him the book... you needn''t worry. It''s not as if it''s a rare item for us" he continued.


    "But if someone finds out, that boy and his entire village could be doomed," Huo Xing protested.


    "Hmph," the old man snorted. "Who cares? Little Huo Xing What do you think would happen if word got out that a mortal dared to negotiate with me, the great Huo Ming, a four-star alchemist? A price must be paid. So let my little joke be that price "his lips parting into a develish grin." And who knows, perhaps he''ll get lucky"


    "Nothing will happen master, and you know it. With that level of talent, he will never be able to cultivate, giving him hope is just.... cruel."


    Then looking back Huo Xing couldn''t help but to leave a few words of pity.


    "An open door to one who will not leave,


    A truth revealed to those who won''t believe.


    Giving gold to someone who won''t use it,


    Is like planting seeds on a rocky hill."


    While the two were flying away, Xue San was going down the mountain, towards his home, The Silverbery village, his heart pounding inside his chest with excitement, dreaming of the day when he two would become a great immortal and Grand Master Alchemist.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 3: Simple Life Silverberry Vilage

    "Nothing will happen master and you know it with that level of talent he will never be able to cultivate, giving him hope is just.... cruel."


    "An open door to one who will not leave,


    A truth revealed to those who won''t believe.


    Giving gold to someone who won''t use it,


    Is like planting seeds on a rocky hill."


    Looking back, Huo Xing muttered those words to herself with pity.


    While the two cultivators vanished into the distant sky, Xue San descended the mountain path toward his home, the Silverberry Village. His heart thumped wildly in his chest, a mix of exhilaration and anticipation coursing through him. Dreams of one day becoming a great Immortal and Grand Master Alchemist swirled vividly in his mind.


    After about half an hour, as the sun began its descent and painted the sky with hues of gold and crimson, Xue San finally caught sight of wisps of smoke curling upwards from village chimneys. He quickened his pace, and before long, the familiar outline of his village came into full view.


    Silverberry Village was a humble settlement, home to no more than two hundred souls. It was encircled by an eight-foot wooden fence, a modest barrier against the wild creatures of the mountain. The houses were simple structures of mud and timber; only a handful of belonging to the more prosperous villagers were constructed entirely of wood. The village derived its name from a special berry that the villagers harvested and sold to passing merchants¡ªa vital lifeline for their modest economy.


    The Silverberries were named not for the color of the fruit, but for the silvery sheen of the leaves on the bushes where they grew. The berries themselves were a deep azure blue, nearly the size of quail eggs. Remarkably sweet and juicy, they were prized ingredients in delicacies and wines throughout the region. Harvesting these berries was the heartbeat of the village, sustaining its people through the ebb and flow of seasons.


    As Xue San passed through the main gate, a stern voice sliced through the evening air.


    "Xue San, you little brat! Where have you been all day? And you even took little Xue Si with you! Mother has been worried sick about you two. Get home now¡ªyou''ll be hearing an earful!"


    He had barely set foot inside the village when the scolding began. The high-pitched voice was a blend of exasperation and relief, and despite the chastisement, a faint smile tugged at the corners of Xue San''s mouth. Home, with all its familiar sounds and faces, wrapped around him like a comforting cloak, even as he braced himself for the lecture that awaited.


    "Big sis Xue Er I am sorry, we were just playing around not long from the village, and we lost track of time," said Xue San while turning his head to look at his older sister, he had a fiery personality but was very gentle.


    Xue Er was three years older than Xue San at eleven years old, with shoulder-length black hair, often tied back into a messy ponytail, though a few rebellious strands always escaped, framing her round face. Her sharp, almond-shaped eyes are dark and fierce, constantly gleaming with energy and determination. There''s an intensity in her gaze that contrasts with her youthful appearance, hinting at her inner strength and resolve. Her face is sun-kissed from spending days under the open sky, and her cheeks carry a natural blush, though they often flush red when she''s excited or angry¡ªboth common states for her.


    Her nose is small but slightly upturned, and her lips are often curled into a defiant smirk, though they soften whenever she''s around her family. Despite her spirited attitude, there''s a deep warmth in her smile when she''s with those she loves, and her voice, while loud and assertive, softens when she talks to her younger siblings or her parents.


    Her clothing wasn''t much different from her sibling''s, made from rough, hand-spun fabric. She dons a simple tunic, slightly too big for her but belted tightly at the waist with a piece of rope, and loose trousers that she''s tucked into sturdy, well-worn boots. The tunic is a faded reddish-brown, and it''s patched in places from rough play or hard work. A small pouch hangs from her belt, likely holding little trinkets or useful tools she''s collected.


    Her hands are calloused from helping her family with chores¡ªwhether it''s tending to the animals or working in the outside¡ªbut they are quick and capable. She''s always ready to jump into action, whether it''s to defend her younger siblings from bullies or to help her father with a difficult task. Though she''s often hot-tempered and prone to arguing or challenging authority, her deep love for her family is unwavering. She''ll fight fiercely to protect them, and despite her loud protests or rebellious streak, she''ll quietly take on extra work to ease the burden on her parents. When her fiery temper subsides, her affectionate side emerges, and she''s known to sneak small treats or little gifts to her siblings, her way of showing how much they mean to her.


    Xue San loves his big sister dearly, and he looks up to her, there were a lot of times when Xue San got into trouble with the other children and came home with bruises, and it was exactly this older sister that first scolded him but then after went to look for them and gave them a beating of their life for touching her little brother.


    "Hmph, you brat. Let''s go home," snorted Xue Er, though she was actually quite pleased to see how happy Xue San was to see her.


    Xue San had three siblings: two sisters and one brother. Unfortunately, his relationship with his brother wasn''t as close as with his two sisters¡ªperhaps because the nine-year age gap was simply too vast to bridge.


    As they walked home, Xue Er berated him nonstop, but Xue San didn''t mind at all.


    "Hahaha, little Xue San, you''ve made your sister angry again!" chuckled a villager.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    "Oh, little Xue San, you''ve upset your big sister once more!" teased another.


    To the villagers, the sight of Xue Er scolding Xue San was commonplace¡ªa near-daily ritual. Xue San didn''t mind any of it. And just like that, they arrived home.


    "Mom, I found Xue San and Xue Si!" Xue Er called loudly as they approached the house made of mud and wood.


    The house itself was small and rectangular, with only one main room inside. The entrance was a wooden door, worn smooth by countless hands, creaking slightly on its hinges. A few small windows, covered with wooden shutters or simple cloth, allowed some light and air to filter into the dim interior, but they were placed high enough to keep out the wind. Inside, the space was divided into different areas by hanging cloths or thin wooden partitions.


    The heart of the home was a small hearth built into the ground, where the family cooked their meals. Made of stone and mud, the fire pit always carried the scent of wood smoke. A few basic iron pots and pans were stacked nearby, and a small wooden shelf held simple clay bowls and chopsticks. The hearth also served as a source of warmth during cold nights, with the family often gathering around it for both sustenance and comfort.


    The floor was packed dirt, occasionally swept but always a little dusty from the constant traffic of bare feet. Simple straw mats were spread across the floor for sleeping at night, then rolled up and tucked away during the day to make room for daily activities. Each family member had their place, though privacy was scarce; everyone lived and slept in close quarters. In one corner of the room, a few wooden crates and sacks held their meager supplies¡ªgrains, dried vegetables, and whatever little they had managed to store from their harvest.


    A single, worn wooden table sat near the center of the room, with mismatched stools or simple crates used as seating. This was where the family ate their meals, the table scratched and scarred from years of use. A few handmade decorations¡ªdried flowers, simple carvings¡ªhung from the walls, giving the space a touch of warmth despite its simplicity.


    Outside, a small fenced-off area with a small shed behind the house held a few chickens, the family''s only livestock, and a tiny patch of earth was cultivated for vegetables. A stack of firewood leaned against the side of the house, ready to fuel the hearth. Though the house was humble and small for a family of six, it was full of life, worn with the love and hard work of those who lived inside. It stood as both a shelter and a testament to their resilience, making the most of their modest means.


    Entering the house, the siblings saw their mother, Rou Shui, peeling potatoes in preparation for the dinner they would enjoy that night.


    She bore the weathered look of someone who had lived a life of hard labor, yet a quiet strength radiated from her. Her skin was tanned and slightly rough from years of toil, her hands calloused but capable. Her black hair, streaked with early signs of gray, was tied back into a practical, loose bun, though a few strands escaped, framing her tired yet gentle face. Her dark, sharp eyes still held a spark of determination, reflecting her resilience and boundless love for her family.


    She wore a simple, faded tunic in earthy tones, patched and worn from years of use, tied at the waist with a strip of fabric. Her trousers were similarly practical, tucked into old but sturdy cloth shoes. Though her life was one of toil, she moved with purpose, always keeping her family''s welfare at the forefront of her mind.


    Looking up with her warm eyes, she smiled upon seeing her three children. "Little Xue Er, did you scold your brother all the way home again?" she asked with a gentle smile.


    "Mom, you can''t be like this," said Xue Er indignantly.


    "Mom, what are we having for dinner today?" asked Xue San eagerly.


    "Your older brother went hunting with your father, so tonight we''re having rabbit and potato stew. So wake up Xue Si, go feed the chickens, and then wash up," said Rou Shui in her soft tone. "And you, Xue Er, go and exchange some dried silverberries for salt with Madam Wang."


    "Yes, Mom," the siblings responded.


    Madam Wang was the wife of the village chief. When villagers needed something, they often went to exchange goods with her, as the village was too small for a market and the caravans came only once a week during silverberry season, and then only once every two months.


    Xue San gently set Xue Si down and shook her lightly. As if by magic, she began to stir, slowly opening her eyes.


    "Hmmm... Big Brother Xue San, what... what happened? I remember us going up the mountain to get..." she murmured sleepily.


    Before she could finish, Xue San quickly covered her mouth. "Ahahaha, little Xue Si, we''re done playing¡ªwe''re already home. Let''s go feed the chickens," he said, steering her outside before she could piece together her thoughts.


    Once outside, as they scattered feed for the clucking hens, Xue San asked softly, "Listen, little Xue Si, what do you remember?"


    "Well, I remember you saying we were going to get the King of the Mountain''s egg while it was away, and then we reached a big tree, and that''s all," she replied in her innocent voice.


    "Perhaps that immortal did something so little Xue Si wouldn''t talk about the book he gave me," Xue San thought to himself.


    "Yes, that''s basically it," he said aloud. "We got there, you got really tired and fell asleep, and then I carried you back. But please don''t tell anyone. If anyone finds out we even tried to go there, everyone will be mad at us¡ªespecially Big Sis."


    At the mention of her big sister, Xue Si''s face paled. Though too young to fully grasp it, she felt the weight of her brother''s words.


    "Okay, Big Brother, I won''t tell anyone," she promised earnestly.


    -------


    After feeding the chickens, Xue San slipped behind the house and dug a small hole. Carefully he took the cloth that concealed the book, and placed it gently into the ground, covered it with soil, and patted it firmly. Satisfied that his secret was safe, he went inside to await his father and brother.


    Some time later, two men entered the house. One appeared rugged and strong, shaped by years of labor under the sun. His skin was deeply tanned and etched with the lines of hard work, his hands calloused from tilling the earth and wielding tools since boyhood. His black hair was short and unkempt, streaked with early strands of gray, often matted with sweat from long days in the fields. His face was angular, with a strong jaw and prominent cheekbones, but a softness lit his expression when he looked upon his family.


    He wore a simple tunic and trousers, both faded and patched in places, tied at the waist with a worn leather belt. His sturdy cloth shoes were caked with dirt, and a small dagger¡ªused for practical tasks¡ªhung at his side. His dark eyes were sharp and observant, though tinged with weariness. Despite the struggles of peasant life, his muscular frame and quiet determination spoke to his resilience, and his deep love for his family gave him the strength to endure daily hardships.


    Beside him stood a younger copy of himself, down to the worn tunic. These two were his father, Xue Chang, and his older brother, Xue Yi.


    "Haha! Today we''re going to feast!" Xue Chang announced joyfully. "We actually caught four rabbits, but we exchanged two with Madam Wang for some wine and sweets. And we have good news!"


    At the mention of good news, everyone turned their attention to Xue Chang.


    "What is it, husband?" Rou Shui asked eagerly.


    "Our little Xue Yi has fallen in love with the daughter of one of the merchants who comes here to trade," he declared. "Apparently, she fancies him too. So come next month, this young man will leave home to work for the caravan owner."


    "What! Is it true?" his mother asked, surprised.


    "Yes, Mom," Xue Yi replied with an embarrassed grin. "I''ve already talked with my future father-in-law about this, but I just didn''t know how to tell you all." said Xue Yi with a grinn on his face.


    That night was one of the happiest in the Xue household.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 4: That Old Basterd Realy Tricked Me

    The Soul Saint Empire, Sleeping Giant Region


    Time flowed like a relentless river; springs came one after another, and just like that, six years had passed. In this time, not much had changed in Silverberry Village.


    "God damn it, that old bastard really tricked me," Xue San muttered in frustration for the thousandth time.


    That night six years ago, after the banquet celebrating his older brother''s engagement, Xue San had snuck out into the quiet darkness. He unearthed the book the old man had given him, took a candle, and slipped into the chicken shed. Lighting the candle, he began to read.


    The Compendium of Alchemy: Volume One


    The first thing he saw on the opening page was an intricate pattern of furnaces. Beneath the symbol, written in golden letters, were the words:


    "Alchemy is the most ancient and noble profession a cultivator can pursue. Only a select few can walk the path of this most exalted calling. We alchemists defy the heavens with our concoctions; we are the ones who can turn mud into gold and gold into mud. Young alchemist, remember: on the path of alchemy, nothing is impossible."


    Xue San trembled slightly after reading that passage; he was already shaking with excitement. Turning the page, he continued to read.


    "**The path of alchemy is arduous. To become an alchemist, one must be chosen by the heavens and born with the innate talent for it. They must be able to control the fire element, the wood element, and the water element.


    In Alchemy, the fire element is used to melt all the ingredients; the wood element harmonizes all the melted elements together; and the water element controls and tames the wild nature of fire. No matter how refined one''s control over fire is, when it becomes necessary to temper and subdue its ferocity, the water element¡ªas its opposite¡ªis the final component in this heavenly triad to become a true alchemist.


    The art of alchemy demands immense spiritual power from the alchemist; thus, the higher the rank of the alchemist, the greater their level of cultivation must be. There are weak cultivators, but no Alchemists are weak.


    Only when a cultivator is at the peak of Qi Condensation can they begin to dip their toes into the art of alchemy. Before that, one must start by memorizing all the ingredients that exist under heaven. Of course, this would be impossible for someone at the level of Qi Condensation. Even those at the level of Nascent Soul are unable to achieve such feats. That''s why it is necessary to study all the most basic materials for alchemy that are detailed in The Compendium of Alchemy: Volume One¡ªfor those who embark on the path to becoming an alchemist.**"


    There were still pages ahead but for some reason when Xue San tried to read them his head hurt and he didn''t understand a thing


    Reading up to this point, Xue San''s face fell. "Wait, so immortals are called cultivators? Qi Condensation...? Nascent Soul...? What the hell? I need to be a cultivator first to become an alchemist. That old bastard tricked me! How am I supposed to become an alchemist if I can''t cultivate? And how can I cultivate if I can''t be an alchemist to make pills for myself?" Xue San roared in his heart.


    Beyond that introduction, Xue San flickered a few pages and saw some of the material the book contained. Extensive information about plants and other materials¡ªtheir descriptions and uses.


    Moonlight Grass


    Appearance/Uses: Moonlight Grass is a slender plant with delicate, blade-like leaves that shimmer with a silvery sheen, especially under moonlight. Each blade stands about a foot tall and appears almost translucent, giving off a faint luminescence in the dark. Tiny dew-like droplets often collect on its surface, reflecting light like miniature stars scattered across the grass. It contains traces of solar Qi, making it ideal for concocting warming pills that boost energy and vitality.


    Spirit Ginseng


    Appearance/Uses: Spirit Ginseng is a small root that remarkably resembles a tiny human figure, complete with limb-like protrusions and a central body. The root has a pale, creamy color with fine, hair-like tendrils extending from its "limbs." When freshly harvested, it exudes a soft, ethereal glow, and a faint mist seems to surround it, adding to its mystical allure. Spirit Ginseng is prized for its ability to restore Qi and is a staple ingredient in many rejuvenation pills for beginners.


    The list went on and on, and with nothing better to do Xue San decided to at least memorize this long list of ingredients, to at least be prepared for the eventual future when he will need them, in the hope that someday they will become useful.


    Understanding that he had been deceived, Xue San found little else to occupy his time. From that night onward, he devoted every spare moment to poring over The Compendium of Alchemy: Volume One.


    -------------------The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    And so six years slipped by. Life wasn''t glamorous or exciting for him or his family; one might say that existence in Blueberry Village was as stagnant as the still waters of a forgotten lake.


    The only tiny ripples came when the merchant arrived to trade goods, offering a fleeting glimpse of his elder brother and his now-wife, Cai Jin. But even those visits dwindled over time. One summer, Xue Yi informed them that Cai Jin was pregnant and wouldn''t be coming to visit anymore, as she needed to care for herself and the baby. Yet Xue San noticed that whenever she did visit, there was something in her eyes¡ªa glance of disdain¡ªthat suggested she''d rather be anywhere else. Even his brother began to wear that same forlorn look.


    Two years ago, on a quiet night, Xue San slipped out under the guise of joining the other children in the village square to listen to the merchants'' tales. Instead, he retreated to his secret spot to study his book. It was then he overheard a heated argument between his brother and father.


    Apparently, Xue Yi had urged the family to sell everything and move to Dragon Fort City, insisting they would have better lives there. He claimed that in this village they lived practically like animals¡ªthat the ignorance and underdevelopment were so severe that there seemed to be something really wrong here.


    But his father would hear none of it and steadfastly refused.


    Enraged, his brother stormed out, vowing never to return until their father came to his house and apologized. After that incident, their mother spent much of her time in tears. His father tried to console her, but each time she would respond, "You two are like two drops of water¡ªfrom the tip of your noses down to the way you think, act, and speak. You''re both so stubborn that neither of you will back down, and I''ll never be able to see my grandchild."


    And so the days drifted by, one after another, in Blueberry Village.


    Back to the present.


    "Ahhhh... I''ve memorized almost everything there is to know about the plants and materials in the book," Xue San sighed to himself. "As for the other part, I can''t even understand what''s written."


    He carefully wrapped the book in the same piece of cloth, returned it to its hidden hole in the ground, and covered it with dirt.


    Early the next morning, all the villagers gathered to receive the merchants. Xue San went with his father and little Xue Si to see what news the merchants brought and to trade for some tools and necessities.


    "Dad, Dad, do you think Big Brother will come?" asked Xue Si, now ten years old.


    At the mention of his elder son, Xue Chang''s face clouded slightly. Noticing this, Xue San quickly interjected, "Hey Father, don''t you think there are a lot more people than usual with the caravans?"


    Indeed, it was true. Typically, the caravans consisted of only five or six carriages pulled by horses and a handful of men. This time, there were twenty carriages and at least several dozen men clad in leather armor with swords hanging at their waists.


    "Oh my goodness, I''ve never seen so many people coming to our village before," murmured one villager.


    "I don''t like this¡ªso many people, and they''re armed," said another.


    "Why do you think so many have come this time? Ever since I was little, I don''t recall seeing a caravan this big," another interjected.


    Hearing their whispers, Xue San felt a mix of apprehension and excitement. Perhaps something significant was about to happen.


    After a while, the caravan halted outside the village and began setting up camp. A few merchants approached to meet with the villagers.


    "Hahaha, Mister Wang!" called out a merchant¡ªa shrewd, middle-aged man with a round face and a neatly trimmed beard. His keen eyes darted between potential buyers and goods, always calculating. Dressed in fine yet practical silk robes adorned with modest jewelry, he projected both wealth and caution. A jade ring rested on his finger; his tone was smooth and persuasive.


    "Hahaha, welcome, welcome, Mister Jin Fu!" replied the village chief, a sturdy elderly man with graying hair and a weathered face etched by years of leadership and toil. His eyes were wise and compassionate, reflecting his deep care for the villagers.


    "Village Chief Wang, I have excellent news," announced Merchant Jin Fu.


    Hearing that the merchant bore good tidings, the villagers'' tense expressions eased slightly.


    "Oh... and what might that be?" asked the village chief.


    "You see, this time, a very special guest has accompanied me. She is the young daughter of the Long clan from Dragon Fort City, and she has come because she is seeking something," Jin Fu said with a slight grin.


    "Someone from the city came all the way here?"


    "Wow, she must be really important to have so many people protecting her!"


    Amid the murmurs, Jin Fu continued, "We are looking for a specific plant¡ªit is called the Phoenix Fern."


    Everyone stood in silent anticipation, waiting for him to elaborate, but Xue San''s eyes nearly bulged from their sockets.


    "What? The Phoenix Fern?!" he thought, his mind racing to the page in The Compendium of Alchemy: Volume One detailing the plant¡ªa rarity among rank three plants.


    Phoenix Fern


    Appearance:


    The Phoenix Fern is an elegant plant with fronds that unfurl like fiery wings. Its leaves transition through vibrant hues of red, orange, and gold, reminiscent of phoenix feathers. The fronds are broad and lush, with a slight iridescence that catches the light, creating a mesmerizing display of colors. The base of the plant is sturdy, with thick, charcoal-black stems that contrast beautifully with the brilliant fronds. Tiny, ember-like spores occasionally drift from the leaves, glowing softly in dim light.


    The Phoenix Fern is revered for its unparalleled ability to regenerate and revive even without being refined into a pill. Contact with its fronds can heal severe burns, regenerate lost limbs, and restore overall physical strength. Additionally, it possesses the unique ability to rejuvenate a cultivator''s inner energy, replenishing depleted reserves and enhancing vitality. The plant''s spores, when inhaled, can cleanse the respiratory system and invigorate the spirit.


    Then Xue San heard something that sent a shock through his entire being.


    "For the one who finds the plant," Jin Fu proclaimed, "the young lady promises to give 1000 gold coins, and a residence in the Dragon Fort City, but that''s not all, she also promises that the person who finds the Phoenix Fen will be given a spot as an outer sect disciple of the Soaring Sword Sect. Do not look down upon the position of an outer sect disciple; many would kill for such an opportunity. Even as an outer sect disciple, you would be able to learn immortal techniques, and with a bit of luck and hard work, become immortal cultivators yourselves."


    Upon hearing the news, the villagers erupted with excitement, eagerly inquiring about the plant''s appearance, its location, and other intricate details.


    Only Xue San wore a deeply contemplative expression.


    "What are you pondering so intensely?" his father asked.


    "Oh, nothing, Dad," Xue San replied hurriedly.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 5: Phoenix Fern and Departure.

    Upon hearing the news, the villagers erupted with excitement, eagerly inquiring about the plant''s appearance, its location, and other intricate details.


    Only Xue San wore a deeply contemplative expression.


    "What are you pondering so intensely?" his father asked, a knowing smile on his face.


    "Oh, nothing, Dad," Xue San replied hurriedly.


    "Dad, Dad, wouldn''t it be awesome if we were the ones to find this plant?" little Xue Si chimed in. "Then we could move to the city and live with Big Brother, buy lots of sweets, and Mom wouldn''t be so sad anymore. Oh, and one of us could become an immortal too," she added as an afterthought, as if being an immortal wasn''t as important as eating sweets and being with her family.


    Hearing this, Xue Chang''s face fell slightly.


    Meanwhile, Jin Fu continued addressing the villagers.


    "The Phoenix Fern is a plant with fronds that unfurl like fiery wings. Its leaves transition through vibrant hues of red, orange, and gold, reminiscent of phoenix feathers. The fronds are broad and lush, with a slight iridescence that catches the light, creating a mesmerizing display of colors. We have already visited several towns and villages on our way here, so know that you aren''t the only ones searching for it. If we don''t find it while we are here, one of the guards escorting the young lady will stay behind in case you find it after we leave."


    "Oh, and one more thing, friends: if you do find it, please be careful when you remove it. Be sure not to damage the plant," Jin Fu concluded.


    "Sir, isn''t there anything more you can tell us about this Phoenix Fern?" one of the villagers asked.


    "Yes, for example, what kind of environment does it prefer?" another inquired.


    "Unfortunately, that''s all the information we have," Jin Fu replied. "Now, my friends from Silverberry Village, we can proceed with our usual exchanges."


    Hearing his words, the villagers went to gather all the things they had to sell or trade.


    While the village bustled with activity thanks to the caravans, Xue San was making his way toward the mountain.


    Xue San wasn''t the only one who ventured up the mountain. Many of the younger people, fascinated by tales of immortals, went to try their luck, but they searched randomly. Only Xue San moved forward with a clear objective in mind.


    "According to The Compendium of Alchemy: Volume One, the Phoenix Fern thrives in sun-drenched, mountainous regions where vibrant sunlight meets cool, misty air. It flourishes on rocky ledges and volcanic soil, which provide the rich minerals essential for its fiery hues. Gentle breezes ensure adequate air circulation, preventing moisture buildup while enhancing the fern''s natural iridescence. I think I know a place that matches these characteristics," he thought.


    After walking for almost an hour, he reached a part of the mountains where there was a pond of natural hot water, surrounded by plants of all shapes and colors.


    Unfortunately, even after searching until the sun was almost down, he didn''t find anything.


    "I don''t understand. This place is perfect for it to grow. Why isn''t there anything here?" Xue San said in a frustrated tone.


    He was already prepared to head back and try his luck again tomorrow when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw, a few hundred feet away, a flash of golden-red light with a hint of orange¡ªlike a tiny flame flickering.


    "Could it be?"


    Xue San rushed over, and there, between two rocks, was a tiny plant barely half an inch tall, glowing with a mixture of gold, red, and orange hues.


    "Oh my god, I can''t believe I''ve found it!" he exclaimed with excitement. In fact, he was so thrilled that his whole body trembled.


    "Finally, that stupid book is paying off. If it weren''t for it, I''d be wandering around relying on luck to try and find it."


    Taking a moment to calm himself, Xue San carefully took a piece of cloth, filled it with moist soil, and gently removed the plant, taking care not to damage its roots.


    The way back to the village seemed to take half the usual time¡ªperhaps because he was in such a good mood. The only problem was telling his father that he wanted to leave; he knew his father wouldn''t like that.


    Thinking about leaving, Xue San found it strange that so few people ever left this village. It''s not that people hadn''t left before, but it was extremely rare. And for some reason, those who did leave¡ªlike his brother¡ªstopped coming back for one reason or another. It was odd that the villagers weren''t more interested in the outside world.


    But even so, Xue San was excited. After all, with this discovery, he finally had an opportunity to realize his biggest dream: to be like that young woman and that old man¡ªan immortal.


    --------


    When he got home, Xue San enjoyed a nice dinner with his family. As everyone finished eating, he thought it was a good opportunity to bring up his news, but his little sister beat him to it.


    "Mommy, wouldn''t it be nice if we found that Phoenix Fern? Then we could all go live with Big Brother, and one of us could go to the sect and become an immortal."


    At her words, everyone was stunned except Xue San; he knew how curious his little sister was about the wider world.


    "Xue Si!" her father exclaimed a bit louder, because every time their eldest son was mentioned, his wife would spend days sad and sobbing.


    "Dear, don''t yell at Xue Si. And you, Xue Si, I know you also miss your elder brother but finding that Phoenix Fern seems impossible. I heard Madam Wang saying they''ve searched many places along the mountain range and haven''t found anything," said Rou Shui.


    Hearing his mother''s words, Xue San grinned and said, "Oh, that''s easy then." With that, he got up and went outside. A few minutes later, he returned with a piece of cloth. Carefully unwrapping it in front of everyone''s eyes, he revealed a little piece of fern with some dirt around its roots. It was barely half an inch tall and had three colors on its leaves: gold, orange, and red.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    Everyone was stunned, and the silence lasted for more than a few minutes. When Xue San was getting nervous and was about to say something, his older sister broke the silence.


    "It''s... it''s the Phoenix Fern! How did you find it, Little Brother?" she asked in amazement.


    "I was just lucky, I guess. I went up the mountain and found it. But with this, we can give it to the young lady of the Long Clan and receive the rewards we were promised," Xue San said.


    Xue Chang and Rou Shui were both astonished by their son''s luck.


    "Honey... what do you think?" Rou Shui asked hesitantly.


    Xue Chang was silent for a moment, then said, "I think... our family is more important than staying here." Everyone understood his meaning, and they were happy to hear those words. "Tomorrow, I''ll ask Jin Fu to help me deliver the Phoenix Fern to that young lady."


    Early the next morning, Xue Chang went to find Jin Fu and deliver the Phoenix Fern. Jin Fu was stunned when he saw the plant before him; it didn''t take long for him to present it to the young lady.


    "Miss Long Huo, one of the villagers actually found it. All the money you spent to hire that Heavenly Seer paid off," said Jin Fu with a bright smile.


    "Good. I was already getting worried he was a scammer. If we hadn''t found anything, I would have chopped his head off the moment we got back to Dragon Fort City," she replied.


    The young lady before him was Long Huo, she exuded a blend of youthful grace and strength. Her long blue hair flowed like a cascade of silk, shimmering with each subtle movement. Her eyes were mesmerizing and unconventional¡ªone a deep emerald green, the other a striking blue¡ªcreating a captivating and mysterious allure. These dual-colored eyes glowed faintly with the energy of cultivation, showcasing a focus and determination beyond her years.


    Her face was soft yet striking, with delicate features that hinted at her noble lineage. She wore a robe of deep blue, embroidered with tiny dragons soaring through the sky¡ªa symbol of her clan. A silver belt adorned with small birds cinched her waist. At her side hung a slender sword, its hilt wrapped in white silk, ever ready for action. Despite her young age, her posture was confident, her movements fluid, reflecting the extensive training she had undergone. There was a quiet fierceness within her.


    But Jin Fu knew that beneath her beauty lay a slightly selfish and shrewd nature, often prioritizing her own advancement in cultivation and carefully navigating alliances to benefit herself. This cunning edge made her both a formidable ally and a cautious rival among the younger generation of Dragon Fort City, as she always placed her personal ambitions above all else.


    "With this, the position of the Soaring Sword Sect core disciple is mine. Tell everyone to prepare¡ªwe are returning at once," declared Long Huo.


    "Young Lady Long, there remains the matter of compensating the person who found the Phoenix Fern," Jin Fu reminded her gently.


    "Hmph! Just toss them some gold coins; that should suffice for someone from this backwater village. Honestly, if I hadn''t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn''t have believed such poverty and ignorance existed. Even the slaves in our household live better and are more educated than these people," Long Huo replied, her tone dripping with contempt.


    Jin Fu managed a wry smile; he had anticipated such a reaction from the young lady of the Long clan. She had achieved her objective, and these villagers were of no further use to her. But he, Jin Fu, still needed to maintain good relations, for he would return here to conduct business.


    "Young Lady Long, I understand your perspective, but consider the damage to your reputation and that of your clan if word were to spread that the Long clan does not honor its promises¡ªespecially when the cost is something the clan can easily afford. Do you think that a mere thousand gold coins and a residence in Dragon Fort City are worth more than the prestige of the Long clan, and the position of a core disciple?" Jin Fu said, hoping to persuade her. His words seemed to strike a chord, for a deep frown creased her brow.


    "Hmph! Jin Fu, don''t think I don''t see what you''re trying to do. I don''t know why you want to help a nobody, but as one of our main business partners, I will give you face. Still¡ªthat is worth much, much more, and for a nameless nobody?." Long Huo retorted, her eyes narrowing.


    "Young Lady, the cultivators of the Soaring Sword Sect place great importance on reputation. Your words would be worth more than thousands of gold coins, and the higher one''s position, the more scrutiny one faces. I''ve heard that competition among the core disciples is even more fierce than, that of the inner sect disciples. Even something as small as this could become something detrimental to you" Jin Fu continued, his voice measured and persuasive¡ªthe tools of his trade.


    "Goddamn it! Hmph, very well." Long Huo grumbled through gritted teeth.


    After a moment, she composed herself. "We need to depart immediately. Who knows if someone else got lucky and found the Phoenix Fern? This region is vast, and we cannot afford delays. Inform everyone that we are leaving now," she commanded.


    "Yes, my lady," Jin Fu bowed and exited her tent.


    "Damn it, if he performs poorly it will also reflect poorly on me." Long Huo muttered to herself, her frustration palpable. "Well it doesn''t matter, there are ways to dispose of him later"


    In the Xue household, excitement buzzed as Jin Fu arrived to deliver the good news: upon their arrival in Dragon Fort City, they would receive the money and the deeds to a new house. However, they needed to pack up immediately, for the young lady was in a hurry.


    Xue Chang was taken aback by the suddenness. He had hoped to bid proper farewells to everyone and settle affairs before leaving. "Must we depart today?" he asked. "I was hoping we could leave when the merchants came by next time."


    Jin Fu shook his head gently. "I''m afraid delaying would mean forfeiting your son''s chance to join the Soaring Sword Sect," he explained.


    Xue San''s face fell upon hearing this. He knew his father wasn''t concerned with immortals; he simply didn''t want the family to be separated. It was for the sake of keeping everyone together that he had agreed to move. But his father''s next words shook him to the core.


    "Then we will stay here and wait for the next caravan to take us to Dragon Fort City. Sir Jin Fu, could you take my son with you so he doesn''t miss his chance? Any expenses you incur on his behalf can be deducted from the thousand gold coins," Xue Chang said resolutely.


    "Hahaha, Mister Xue Chang, there''s no need to worry about expenses or parting with your reward. And even if I did deduct costs, you wouldn''t feel the loss¡ªafter all, you''re a wealthy man now. With a thousand gold coins, none of you will need to worry about work anymore," Jin Fu replied warmly.


    The family of four stared in astonishment; they had no concept of the true value of gold coins. The largest currency they had ever dealt with was copper.


    "Rest assured, Mister Xue Chang," Jin Fu continued, "when I return next time, I will explain everything in greater detail during our journey to the city. But for now, we must depart promptly. The young lady is in haste, and we wouldn''t want to make a poor impression."


    Soon after, Xue San was packed and ready¡ªnot that there was much to take. His possessions were few. Jin Fu kindly lent him a leather bag, into which he placed a spare pair of shoes, some clothes, and beneath it all, wrapped in a tattered piece of cloth, was his greatest treasure.


    He had considered leaving the book behind, but when Jin Fu mentioned it could be a long time before he see his family again, Xue San decided to bring it along. In the worst-case scenario, he could part with the book; he had already committed its contents to memory and he could learn the rest at the sect.


    After tearful farewells from his sisters and mother, Xue San found himself in a carriage moving away from the only home he had ever known. His heart wasn''t pounding with fear or excitement; instead, he felt as if chains that had bound him were breaking, freeing him to soar into the skies and beyond.


    "Well, youngster, is this your first time leaving the village?" Jin Fu asked, a twinkle in his eye.


    Xue San nodded quietly.


    "You''ll see many new things from now on. But your village is truly..." Jin Fu hesitated, searching for the right words.


    "My brother said we were living worse than slaves¡ªthat this was a backwater place," Xue San offered, his gaze steady.


    Jin Fu gave an awkward smile but nodded. " Well, I wouldn''t say it like that. but your village is truly peculiar, it''s like a place frozen in time. There are so few of you, and besides the Silverberies there isn''t anything else. And, curiously, none of you seem to like traveling, and those who do never seem to return and..."


    "Sir Jin Fu," Xue San interrupted gently, "could you tell me about the outside world and the immortals?" His eyes shone with curiosity, eager to shift the conversation.


    "Certainly," Jin Fu agreed. "It would be best to teach you as we travel, so you don''t inadvertently embarrass the young lady."


    As the carriage rolled onward, Xue San felt a mix of anticipation and resolve. The world was vast and unknown, but he was ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 6: Arraving At Dragon Fort City

    Jin Fu gave an awkward smile but nodded. " Well, I wouldn''t say it like that. but your village is truly peculiar, it''s like a place frozen in time. There are so few of you, and besides the Silverberies there isn''t anything else. And, curiously, none of you seem to like traveling, and those who do never seem to return and..."


    "Sir Jin Fu," Xue San interrupted gently, "could you tell me about the outside world and the immortals?" His eyes shone with curiosity, eager to shift the conversation.


    "Certainly," Jin Fu agreed. "It would be best to teach you as we travel, so you don''t inadvertently embarrass the young lady."


    As the carriage rolled onward, Xue San felt a mix of anticipation and resolve. The world was vast and unknown, but he was ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.


    "Certainly," Jin Fu agreed. "It would be best to teach you as we travel, so you don''t inadvertently embarrass the young lady."


    As the carriage rolled onward, Xue San felt a mix of anticipation and resolve. The world was vast and unknown, but he was ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.


    "So, youngster, where should we start first?" asked Jin Fu with a smile.


    "Immortals¡ªtell me about the immortals and about the Soaring Sword Sect," Xue San said, full of excitement.


    What Jin Fu said next shook Xue San to his very core.


    "Hahaha... Well, actually, they aren''t really immortals."


    "What?!" Xue San''s eyes widened so much they seemed about to pop out, and his jaw nearly hit the floor.


    Seeing his reaction, Jin Fu''s smile grew even wider. "Hahaha, well, I am sure that immortals do exist, but we as a kingdom don''t have one. Even the three great sects don''t have one. What you refer to as an immortal is actually called a cultivator."


    "Cultivators?"


    "Yes, cultivators. Cultivators are people who use the energy of heaven and earth¡ªor, in other words, spiritual energy¡ªto train and fight against the heavens to improve themselves and maybe one day succeed in becoming true immortal beings. They use this spiritual energy and convert it into power for themselves." Seeing the look on Xue San''s face, Jin Fu continued.


    "But not everyone can become a cultivator. One must be born with a certain talent for cultivation."


    "Talent?" Xue San inquired.


    "Yes. Think of it this way: if you had one gold coin to spend on water, would you buy a glass or a large basin?"


    "The basin," Xue San answered without hesitation.


    "Exactly. So why would someone invest resources, time, and energy to train someone with lesser talent when they could train someone with greater potential? That''s why the selection criteria are so strict, and not many people can get into the sect to cultivate."


    "I see," Xue San responded, a worried look crossing his face.


    Jin Fu added, "Hahaha, you don''t need to worry. With Miss Long Huo''s status, she can definitely get you in as an outer sect disciple. Even if you come from a humble background, you could still cultivate and enjoy the benefits of being an outer sect disciple."


    Xue San. He knew he could cultivate¡ªthe old man had said he could have good talent and he could also become an alchemist, so he must have the talent. He somehow felt that the outer sect was too low for someone like him


    Noticing his look Jin Fu added, "Don''t look down on the position of outer sect disciple, just by becoming one you are already ahead of thousands."


    Xue San just nodded


    "Then what about the three great sects?" he asked.


    "Long ago, this land was considered a desolate wilderness with people scattered here and there, and sects both big and small everywhere. Then a struggle for supremacy broke out, and everyone united under one of three major forces: the Soaring Sword Sect, the War God Sect, and the Spirit Cauldron Sect. The Soul Saint King was once a disciple of the Soaring Sword Sect, but he eventually became so powerful that he decided to establish a kingdom that would last through the ages. With the assistance of the Soaring Sword Sect, he did just that. But to completely destroy the other two great sects required a great sacrifice, because the other two forces combined weren''t easy to deal with. Over time, the conflict grew bloodier and bloodier, so eventually, the other two sects acknowledged the Soul Saint King as the ruler of the land. A balance was reached, with the royal family at the head."


    "I see. Then how powerful is the king?" Xue San asked.


    "His Majesty, the Soul Saint King, is a peak-level Nascent Soul cultivator," Jin Fu said proudly.


    "Nascent Soul?" Xue San repeated, confusion evident in his eyes.


    "Oh, right¡ªI forgot how much you don''t know," Jin Fu chuckled. "When a cultivator begins their journey, they start at the Qi Condensation stage, which is divided into three phases: the early stage¡ªfrom the first to the third level; the middle stage¡ªfrom the fourth to the sixth level; and the late stage¡ªfrom the seventh to the ninth level. Next comes the Foundation Establishment stage, which is also divided into nine stages such as Qi Condensation. After that is the Core Formation stage, which is also split into three phases, though I don''t know much about it. Finally, there''s the legendary Nascent Soul stage. In our entire kingdom, the Soul Saint King is the most powerful expert, having reached the peak of the Nascent Soul realm."


    "So, does one become an immortal after the Nascent Soul realm?" Xue San inquired.


    "Well... I actually don''t know what comes after," Jin Fu admitted with an awkward smile. "I''m a mortal merchant, after all."


    "Mr. Jin Fu, you also mentioned that my family was well off now. What did you mean by that?" Xue San asked, recalling the conversation Jin Fu had with his father before departing.


    "Ah, that. Well, it''s actually quite simple. In Dragon Fort City, the average annual income of a family is about 50 silver coins. Mind you, those 50 silver coins are enough for an average family to pay rent, clothe themselves, feed their household, and even have some spare change to enjoy a few luxuries. Now, I know you''ve only dealt with copper coins, but do you know how much a silver coin is worth compared to a copper one?" Jin Fu asked with a teasing smile.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "How much?" Xue San asked, anticipation evident in his voice.


    "One silver coin is equal to 10 copper coins!"


    When Xue San heard this, his eyebrows nearly leaped off his face. "Then how much is a gold coin?"


    "One gold coin is worth... 10 silver coins," Jin Fu replied.


    "Oh my god!" Xue San exclaimed inwardly. They were rich¡ªtruly rich! An average household would have to work for 200 years without spending a single coin just to save this much, and they already owned a house in the city.


    Jin Fu continued, "When we get to the city, you can stay with me or at your own house, but I believe you won''t be able to rest long. If I am not mistaken, after we get to the city, you''ll have at most two days to rest. So during our travel, I will teach you whatever I can so that you don''t embarrass yourself in front of the young lady. Because if you upset her, not only you but your entire family might suffer because of your actions."


    Hearing this, Xue San''s heart stiffened, how can a person hurt an entire family just because os the mistake of one individual? "I will do my best, Mr. Jin Fu," he said, clasping his hands in salute and bowing deeply.


    The road to Dragon Fort City was a long one, but Jin Fu told him that it had taken them almost three months to reach his village. However, because they were rushing back, they wouldn''t be making any stops along the way, so they should be able to return in at most three weeks.


    Even though they were hurrying, Xue San saw a multitude of people coming and going, one day he even witnessed an incident where the guards had to intervene because of a group of a group of bandits.


    It was his first time seeing cultivators in action, not counting the old man and the young woman from all those years ago.


    He watched as the guards swung their swords, and the heads of the bandits flew¡ªtheir foes cut down as effortlessly as harvesting wheat. But the most astonishing sight was the captain of the guards¡ªa big, burly man with a beard so thick you couldn''t even see his lips¡ªwho, with a single swing of his sword, struck down a man twenty feet away. Xue San vividly remembered how a bright beam of blue light shot from the sword and struck the man.


    Although what he saw was fascinating in a way, he had never witnessed such violence growing up in his village, and frankly, he was frightened by the gruesome sight. For the next few days of the journey, a knot tightened in his stomach. He was afraid of the outside world; he questioned the choice he had made. This was the first time he wavered in his determination to become a cultivator.


    Noticing his distress, Jin Fu decided to speak with him, explaining that the outside world was indeed harsh and that the hearts of men were hard to fathom. "If you don''t have the stomach for it," Jin Fu advised, "it might be better to stay with your family and enjoy life in the city."


    "Xue San, to become a cultivator means to go against the heavens," Jin Fu continued solemnly. "You are literally robbing the fortune and power of the heavens, defying the natural order when you try to become an Immortal. The things you have seen here are nothing compared to the competition in the world of cultivators."


    These words weren''t meant to encourage but to convey the stark reality of the path ahead. Yet deep within, a feeling urged Xue San not to give up, to take that final step and enter the grand world of cultivation.


    "No, Xue San, you can''t go on like this," he told himself. "I need to overcome this fear of the unknown. Remember what the elder once said: ''Conquering fear doesn''t mean never being afraid; it means refusing to let fear control your destiny.'' Yes, I won''t let this fear of the unknown take control of me."


    With newfound resolve, Xue San sought out Jin Fu and asked to resume their daily lessons on etiquette, language, mathematics, and more.


    Jin Fu was astonished at the rapid pace at which Xue San absorbed information and grasped new concepts. "Ah... why can''t my own children be like this?" he lamented to Xue San.


    And just like that, almost a month went by.


    "I can see it!" shouted one of the guards.


    About a mile ahead, Xue San spotted something that looked like a small black mountain. But as they drew closer, he realized it was a massive wall made of some kind of black rock. These walls towered into the sky, their surfaces smooth yet imposing, etched with ancient runes that glowed faintly with mystical energy.


    Towering buildings soared upward as if striving to pierce the very heavens, their spires and pagodas adorned with gilded edges and intricate carvings depicting dragons, phoenixes, and celestial beings. Crafted from a blend of stone and enchanted materials, the structures shimmered subtly under the sunlight.


    The road they traveled was teeming with people coming and going; he had never seen so many in his life. Everything was new and exhilarating.


    As they approached the main gate, people began to step aside upon seeing the Long Clan insignia on one of the carriages. A guard at the gate stepped forward and saluted the carriage where Long Huo was seated.


    "Young Miss, welcome back! I will immediately clear the road for you!"


    With that, he proceeded ahead, making everyone waiting in line move aside so they could pass.


    Inside the city, the streets bustled with life. Market stalls overflowed with exotic goods: herbs emitting fragrant aromas, vendors claiming to have the best meat in the entire city, and shops selling swords, shields, whips, armor¡ªeverything one could imagine was available.


    Xue San was awestruck; everyone looked so clean and pristine, a stark contrast to the people in his village.


    "Xue San, I know this is overwhelming, but now that we''re here, we need to get you out of those clothes after all you can''t be seen near the young lady like this" Jin Fu said. "Remember, she is a hard woman to please and doesn''t tolerate mistakes. You need to make a good impression on her."


    Hearing that he was about to meet Young Lady Long Huo, he felt a surge of nervousness. After all, she was only fourteen years old, just like him, but people were saying that she was a once-in-a-millennium genius. Coming from the prestigious Long Clan, she was already at the eight stage of Qi Condensation and was more powerful than many of the guards who escorted them here.


    Among the younger generation of Dragon Fort City, she was known as the Bluegreen Dragon because of her peculiar eye color.


    "Let''s go; I''ll take you to one of my stores. We''ll find something suitable for you to wear, and after that, we can go to my house and..."


    But before he could finish, Xue San interrupted. "No, thank you very much for your hospitality, Mr. Jin Fu, but if you don''t mind, I would like to stay in the house where my family will be living. If I won''t be able to see them, I''d at least like to be there, even if only for a little while."


    Jin Fu smiled and nodded. "Very well, then."


    After walking for a while, they arrived at a grand store with a large sign that read "The God''s Silk Palace." Gazing up at the three-story edifice adorned with ornate carvings and shimmering silk banners, Xue San was astonished.


    Inside, the store housed no more than a few dozen customers, yet each exuded an air of importance and refinement. As they stepped in, a well-dressed man spotted Jin Fu and hurried over, his face lighting up with a broad smile.


    "Hahaha, Mr. Jin Fu! We weren''t expecting you back so early from your travels."


    "Hahaha, my friend, it''s good to see you. Actually, this time I had to return earlier because of this young friend here," Jin Fu replied, nodding toward Xue San.


    The man glanced at Xue San, his eyes flickering with a hint of disdain thinly veiled behind his courteous facade. "Oh, and who might this young friend be?" he inquired politely.


    "My name is Xue San," replied Xue San, his tone neither rude nor submissive.


    The man seemed slightly taken aback by Xue San''s straightforwardness, but with Jin Fu present, he chose to let it pass.


    At that moment, Jin Fu added, "He is the one who received the reward from young Miss Long Huo."


    A sudden hush fell over the store; it was so quiet that one could hear the soft rustle of silk garments. The man''s eyes widened almost imperceptibly. Recovering quickly, he turned to Xue San with newfound interest.


    "Ah, my young friend, you must have had a challenging life. You''ve already been greatly rewarded by the young miss. Why not pass the spot of outer sect disciple to me? In exchange, I''ll offer you another hundred gold coins."


    "Humph! Another hundred? In your dreams!" interjected a middle-aged woman, her eyes gleaming with ambition. "Boy, don''t listen to him. Sell it to me, and I''ll give you an additional five hundred gold coins."


    "No, sell it to me! I''ll pay one thousand gold coins!" shouted another customer, his voice rising above the murmurs.


    Xue San stood there, utterly bewildered by the sudden clamor and the avarice displayed before him.


    "Hahaha, now you see just how great an opportunity this is," Jin Fu remarked with a knowing smile. "Well, just ignore them. Let''s proceed to the third floor. And if you truly wish to sell the position, consider selling it to me. I''ll offer you one thousand extra gold coins above the highest bid."


    With those words, a profound silence enveloped the first floor of the shop, the patrons left speechless by Jin Fu''s declaration.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 7: Departing To The Sect.

    "Hahaha, now you see just how great an opportunity this is," Jin Fu remarked with a knowing smile. "Well, just ignore them. Let''s proceed to the third floor. And if you truly wish to sell the position, consider selling it to me. I''ll offer you one thousand extra gold coins above the highest bid."


    With those words, a profound silence enveloped the first floor of the shop again, the patrons left speechless by Jin Fu''s words.


    The third floor of the Pavilion was much smaller than the first and second floors. There were no customers, but Xue San noticed at least a dozen guards stationed around, each with swords at their waists and faces hidden behind masks. It was impossible to discern their features, adding an air of mystery to the floor.


    "This level is exclusively for our most valued VVIP customers. The products here are the finest quality," Jin Fu said, a proud smile lighting up his face.


    "Mr. Jin Fu, I think this is too much," Xue San replied, feeling out of place. "A simple robe will do."


    Jin Fu laughed heartily. "Nonsense! Consider this a personal gift in honor of your discovery of the Phoenix Fern. Now, tell me¡ªwhat catches your eye?"


    Xue San hesitated, glancing around. He saw many beautiful robes, but his attention was drawn to one in a warm, earthy yellow. He pointed. "That one, I think."


    "Excellent choice." Jin Fu nodded, and suddenly, two masked women appeared at Xue San''s side as if summoned from thin air. "Take his measurements, and ensure there''s a robe in his size. If not, prepare one as quickly as possible," Jin Fu instructed.


    "Yes, Master," they replied in unison. After a moment, one of the women confirmed, "There are two robes that will fit this young master."


    "Good¡ªprepare them both." Jin Fu then turned to Xue San. "Once we''re done here, I''ll take you to your family''s new home. You can settle in, take a bath, and change into your new clothes. Afterward, we''ll share one last meal, and I''ll go over a few things before we proceed to the Long Clan Manor."


    After a thirty-minute carriage ride, they arrived in the housing district. The homes looked similar, with only slight variations, but soon they came upon what would be Xue San''s family home.


    At the entrance, a small courtyard enclosed by a low stone wall welcomed them. The ground was paved with flat stones, and pots filled with bamboo, plum blossoms, and flowering shrubs added a serene charm.


    The house itself opened into a modest living room with polished wooden floors. Paintings of natural landscapes adorned the walls, creating a sense of calm. Adjacent rooms contained simple beds, one for each family member, and at the rear was a separate kitchen equipped with a hearth, pots, pans, and hanging utensils. Xue San thought of his mother; she would undoubtedly love this kitchen. To his surprise, there was even a small bathhouse slightly apart from the main home for privacy, featuring a large stone basin for bathing. Xue San took in the peaceful simplicity of the place and felt a deep sense of contentment.


    He turned to Jin Fu and bowed. "Thank you," he said. After excusing himself, he went to take a bath, refreshing himself after the long journey.


    Once Jin Fu left, Xue San waited a moment, then took out a small leather pouch from his robe. He opened it to reveal only a few copper coins, yet he gazed at them as though they were priceless treasures. He placed the pouch in the leather bag, buried it discreetly in the garden, and smiled to himself before bathing and changing into his new robe.


    Late that night, Jin Fu sat behind his desk in a dimly lit room, papers scattered haphazardly across the table. He nursed a cup of wine, his eyes scanning the documents intently. The candle flames flickered, casting wavering shadows on the walls. Without a sound, a masked figure in black robes appeared, silent and foreboding.


    "So, what did he do after I left?" Jin Fu asked.


    "Master, he waited and made sure you were truly gone, then took his belongings from a leather bag, transferred a few copper coins into it, and buried it in the garden."


    "Hmm¡­ what an amusing little fellow," Jin Fu said, while smiling slightly.


    "Master, forgive my asking, but why so much attention on this boy?"


    "It''s unusual for you to question me, Shadow One," Jin Fu replied, his tone mild.


    "I apologize, Master."


    Jin Fu smiled. "It''s fine. My interest lies in his peculiar connection to the Long family. That lass from the Long Clan accidentally encountered a wandering seer¡ªsomething rare and strange. I thought it was a scam, but then she discovered the Phoenix Fern. So, I thought perhaps the boy had some hidden quality. Either way, having a good relationship with him can get us useful information from the Soaring Sword Sect side."


    "I see."


    "But to think he was so wary, hiding his few copper coins¡­ funny, indeed," Jin Fu chuckled. "Ensure the area remains safe. I want no harm to come to him."


    Jin Fu knew that some people might try to harm the boy to please Long Huo and get the promised reward instead. It was stupid if you really thought about it but some people were really just that stupid


    "Yes, Master," the shadowy figure replied, vanishing as quickly as he had appeared, and the room returned to stillness.


    The next day, Jin Fu arranged for a carriage to bring Xue San to one of the finest restaurants in the city, where a feast awaited.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    "I didn''t know what you''d like, so I ordered a bit of everything. Enjoy!" Jin Fu encouraged.


    Xue San had never seen such a lavish spread and ate until he could eat no more.


    "Listen closely, Xue San," Jin Fu said, leaning forward, "because of your humble background, life in the world of cultivators will not be easy. You''ll face many who will try to break you. Cultivator clans¡ªlike the Long Clan¡ªare formidable, and even they''re nothing next to the great sects and the royal family."


    Xue San nodded, absorbing each word.


    "For instance, Young Lady Long Huo is a genius but, even she was only an inner sect disciple. Core disciples have stringent requirements¡ªreaching Foundation Establishment by thirty, for example, is one of them. It won''t be easy for her to be accepted, and that animosity might even extend to you.


    Xue San''s eyes widened as he took in the complexities of this world.


    -------------------------


    The Long Clan manor, nestled deep within the heart of Dragon Fort City, stood as a testament to the grandeur of the clan. Stone pathways meandered through tranquil courtyards filled with ancient bonsai trees and serene koi ponds, where red lanterns cast a warm, inviting glow over murals depicting legendary ancestors. Training grounds echoed with the disciplined sounds of disciples honing their martial arts skills, while secluded pavilions offered sanctuaries for meditation and spiritual cultivation. At the manor''s core stood the ancestral hall. The entire manor exuded an aura of wisdom and strength, reflecting the Long Clan''s esteemed position within the cultivation world.


    In one of the manor''s pavilions sat the beautiful Long Huo, and before her stood an old man¡ªher grandfather, Long Wei. His long blue hair, streaked with silver, flowed like a river of silk, bearing the signature hue of their lineage. His eyes, a piercing shade of blue, glowed faintly with profound cultivation energy, a testament to his immense power and wisdom. His face, stern yet dignified, with strong, chiseled features, hinted at a heritage both noble and formidable.


    Long Wei wore a robe of deep indigo, intricately embroidered with majestic dragons soaring through clouds¡ªa symbol of the clan''s prestige. A silver belt, adorned with delicate phoenixes, encircled his waist. A magnificent sword hung by his side, its hilt wrapped in white silk, always at the ready.


    "With this, you are practically a Core Disciple now, at the Qi Condensation stage no less. Other core disciples will try to suppress you, but with your talent and the full support of the clan, you''ll catch up to them in no time," Long Wei said, his voice calm yet commanding. "Plus, since you were the one to secure the vital ingredient from the mission issued by Grandmaster Chu Feng, you can say you have earned his favor. So they won''t dare overstep too much in their attempts to challenge you."


    "I understand, Grandfather," Long Huo replied, a hint of hesitation in her tone. "You told me to say that the reward for the one who found Phoenix Fern would be an outer sect disciple position. At first, I wanted to just give some gold and be done with it but..."


    "But what?" Long Wei asked, raising an eyebrow.


    "Jin Fu intervened. He said it might harm our family''s reputation and that if word reached the sect, it could work against me."


    Long Wei frowned, his tone cold "Humph. He''s not entirely wrong, but that Jin Fu makes me uneasy every time I see him," his gaze hardening. "I''ve long suspected he''s not as simple as he appears. For someone of his wealth to have cultivators at his command is not uncommon but to have such powerful cultivators, is not normal at all, at least without a powerful background. Just a decade ago, he was a nameless merchant, yet now he commands influence and cultivators of considerable strength. It''s all very... strange."


    "So, Grandfather believes we should not bring this person to the sect?" she asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.


    "No, we should fulfill our promise. It''s just one spot for an outer sect disciple. Jin Fu''s intervening on his behalf might suggest a scheme of some sort, or maybe I''m just overthinking. After all, in so many years, he hasn''t harmed our clan in any way. You may go now. I''ve already contacted the sect¡ªthey''ll arrive tomorrow to escort you."


    "Yes, Grandfather." Long Huo rose, bowing deeply before taking her leave.


    The following morning, Jin Fu arrived at the Long Clan manor with Xue San, who, after a night of rest, a warm bath, and new robes provided by Jin Fu, was almost unrecognizable.


    Xue San now stood taller and stronger, his lean frame beginning to show signs of definition from years of hard labor. His once messy black hair was now longer, tied back to keep it out of his dark, intense eyes. The uneven cut had been replaced by a rugged look, fitting for a young man accustomed to the outdoors. His sun-bronzed skin was roughened by countless days under the sun, and his once-childish features had matured¡ªa firm jawline, a straight nose, and thin lips set in a thoughtful line. The earthy yellow robe gave him a certain charm.


    An attendant led them to a spacious garden centered around a large, circular stone platform. Jin Fu and Xue San were the first to arrive.


    "Mr. Jin Fu, where are the others?" Xue San asked, glancing around.


    "Don''t worry, young friend Xue San. You are an outsider, so it''s better to arrive before the others to make a good impression."


    Soon, others began to gather. Within half an hour, a dozen people had arrived, most in their thirties, though a few younger people stood among them. Three of the men were disciples from the Long Clan¡ªLong Shang, Long Xia, and Long Zhong¡ªand beside them stood a young woman who immediately caught Xue San''s eye.


    She was beautiful, with blue hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of sapphire, each strand shimmering in the light. Her cerulean eyes, deep and sharp with resolve, held Xue San captive in silent admiration.


    Her features were delicate, with high cheekbones and a soft, heart-shaped jawline that lent her an air of serene beauty. Dressed in midnight blue robes embroidered with silver waves, she seemed almost otherworldly, as if she''d emerged from the depths of a hidden ocean. A slender, silver-edged sword hung at her waist, its hilt inlaid with a single sapphire matching the shade of her eyes. Her name was Lan Shui, and for reasons Xue San couldn''t quite grasp, his heart beat faster in her presence.


    The three Long Clan disciples, by contrast, cast disdainful glances at him, as though his very presence tainted the air around them.


    "I see everyone has arrived," a deep voice announced. Heads turned as Patriarch Long appeared, his presence commanding instant respect.


    "Greetings, Patriarch Long," the group chorused, bowing with hands clasped. Though Xue San was a beat behind, he managed to bow in time, evidence of Jin Fu''s careful tutoring.


    "I hope you all cherish this opportunity the clan has provided," the Patriarch declared, his gaze briefly settling on Xue San and Lan Shui.


    Then there was a rumbling sound above them, and Xue San''s jaw nearly dropped, as a flying ship descended from the sky, approaching at a swift pace before slowing and settling gracefully onto the platform. Standing at the bow was a young man in his twenties, his silver eyes sparkling with a quiet intensity, his light smile barely concealing his pride.


    "Junior Sister Long," the young man addressed Long Huo. "The moment Master heard you''d secured the ingredient he sought, he sent me to escort you back."


    "Haha, Senior Brother, Grandmaster Chu Feng is too kind," Long Huo replied, a bright smile lighting up her face.


    "Let''s be on our way then. You know how Master is," the young man said.


    "Of course. Lan Shui, you''re in charge of the others. Let''s go."


    As they began to board, Jin Fu turned to Xue San, a rare hint of warmth in his eyes. "Well, young friend, good luck. I hope you find great success within the sect."


    With a nod and a final deep breath, Xue San took his first steps toward fulfilling his dream of achieving immortality.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 8: That Old Bastard Screwed Me Again

    "Let''s be on our way then. You know how Master is," the young man said.


    "Of course. Lan Shui, you''re in charge of the others. Let''s go."


    As they began to board, Jin Fu turned to Xue San, a rare hint of warmth in his eyes. "Well, young friend, good luck. I hope you find great success within the sect."


    With a nod and a final deep breath, Xue San took his first steps toward fulfilling his dream of achieving immortality.


    Upon embarking on the ship, Xue San quietly followed the girl named Lan Shui and the others, unsure of what awaited him. The grandeur of the vessel was overwhelming, making him feel small amid its opulence.


    "This is Master''s personal flying vessel," Yan Yi explained. "Although it''s extremely fast, there aren''t enough rooms for all of us. There are a total of four rooms, and I''m currently using one."


    "Ha ha ha, don''t worry about it, Senior Brother Yin," Long Huo interjected with a sweet smile. "I''ll take one room, Lan Shui another, and the four of them can share one," she said, casting a glance at the Long clan disciple and Xue San.


    "Verry well then, the rooms are located in the lower part of the ship, you can go there now if you want, our journey will take about two days"


    Lan Shui nodded, bowing before leading the others away.


    Inside the ship, Lan Shui reserved the largest room for Long Huo and instructed the others to occupy the remaining room. "Remember you shouldn''t be prowling about the ship and embarrassing the young lady." she said sternly


    When Xue San entered the cramped quarters with the others, he was about to look around when a sharp pain exploded on his cheek.


    "A slap," he realized, stunned.


    "God damn it, you filthy peasant!" snarled one of the boys. "Not only you stile my younger brother spot as an outer sect disciple, but you also dare to steal glances at junior sister Lan Shui, when you aren''t even a cultivator?"


    "Yeah, tell him, Long Shang," jeered the other two, their eyes glinting with malice.


    Xue San was taken aback. Jin Fu had warned him that such things could happen, but he hadn''t expected this from members of his own "faction".


    "I..." he began, but another slap cut him off.


    For a moment, he saw nothing but white, a searing pain radiating from his other cheek.


    "Who allowed you to speak, you filthy animal?" Long Shang spat.


    Xue San was speechless. Were people really this insane? How could he promise something that wasn''t his to give?


    "Break his arms and legs, Long Shang," one of the boys sneered. "Let''s see the young miss throw this crippled mortal out of the flying ship."


    Horror washed over Xue San. Was this how it would all end? Crippled and thrown off the ship before even reaching the sect? Jin Fu hadn''t fully conveyed how cruel this world could be.


    Just as Long Shang grabbed Xue San''s arm to twist it, the door swung open. Lan Shui stood there, fury blazing in her eyes.


    "You damn pigheads!" she seethed through gritted teeth. "What do you think you''re doing, you lowlifes? Do you still think this is Dragon Fort City? We''re not even at the sect, and you''re already embarrassing our young lady. Do you think I won''t kill you if you cause trouble for her?"


    The men froze, stupefied.


    "Junior Sister Lan..." Long Shang began.


    "Shut up!" she snapped. "Your little show was already seen by Young Master Yin. This ship is under his full control; nothing happens here without his knowledge. He''s informed the young lady, and she is enraged by your behavior."


    The Long Clan disciples had horrified expressions when they heard that.


    Turning to Xue San, she said, "As for you, go to the young lady''s room. She wants to speak with you."


    Xue San stood stunned for a moment but then bowed in gratitude before hurrying to Long Huo''s quarters.


    Inside, Long Huo sat cross-legged, eyes closed in deep meditation. Unsure of how to proceed, Xue San stood quietly, waiting for her to address him.


    "Your name is Xue San, right?" she asked without opening her eyes.


    "Yes, young lady," he replied, bowing respectfully.


    "Come here," she commanded, her gaze piercing as she opened her eyes. "Place your hand on this crystal."


    "What for?" Xue San instintivly


    Long Huo''s face fell, but remembering that Yan Yi might be watching, she suppressed the urge to slap this country bumpkin for questioning her.


    "This will send a strand of spiritual power into your body," she explained. "After completing a full cycle, it will reveal whether you have even a scrap of talent¡ªor if you''re completely useless."


    A surge of excitement coursed through Xue San after hearing Long Huo words. He believed in his potential; after all, the old man had hinted at his aptitude, even suggesting that becoming an alchemist wasn''t impossible for him.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    He stepped forward confidently, extending his hand toward the crystal ball. Long Huo observed him curiously, noting the proud smile and the confidence radiating from his eyes.


    "Could this guy actually be an arrangement from Jin Fu? Does he have an excellent aptitude for cultivation?" she pondered.


    Xue San placed his hand on the crystal ball and felt like a tiny stream of cool water entered his body. After a moment, it exited the same way it had come. Then the crystal ball gave a tiny grey, almost dark, glow.


    Seeing this, Long Huo snorted in contempt.


    "What a poser," she sneered in her heart. "Why walk so confidently when your talent is pure garbage?"


    She looked at Xue San and declared, "You have low-tier Human Talent. With this kind of trash aptitude, you''ll be lucky to reach even the middle stage of the Qi Condensation Realm¡ªthat''s it. What a waste of space and resources. But since I gave my word, you''ll still be able to join the sect as an outer sect disciple. Just remember: don''t embarrass me or the Long clan, or you''ll regret the day you were born," she said, her voice dripping with disdain.


    Hearing Long Huo words Xue San stumbling out of her room. He felt like his world spinning. He didn''t dare return to the others; the threat of another beating loomed large.


    He could only clench his fists and curs in his heart "That old bastard screwed me again," he said bitterly. "He could''ve just told me I lack the talent. Now it''s too late to turn back."


    On the verge of tears, he made his way to the deck to at least savor the scenery.


    It was the right choice. From this vantage point, he saw the Sleeping Giant Mountain for the first time¡ªit truly resembled a colossal figure in slumber. Cities sprawled below like intricate patterns, their inhabitants mere specks. Roads stretched out like cracks in a mirror.


    Gradually, Xue San felt himself calming down.


    "It''s beautiful, isn''t it?" a voice said beside him. He turned to see the silver-eyed man known as Senior Brother Yin.


    "Young Master, I''m sorry," Xue San stammered, his heart sinking. He feared this man might be like the bullies below. And who could blame him? He was just a fourteen-year-old from a remote village, na?ve to the world''s cruelties.


    "Ha ha, no need to apologize," Yan Yi said warmly. "I also enjoy the view from up here. My name is Yan Yi, but most call me Senior Brother Yan."


    "Senior Yan Yi, I''m sorry for disturbing your resting place. I''ll leave now," Xue San said while bowing.


    "Stay," Yan Yi replied with a smile. "If you truly feel sorry, how about sharing your story with me?"


    Xue San hesitated but then began to speak and when he did, it was like a dam broke loose, all his pent-up emotions came up. He told of his humble village, his dreams of immortality, and the rewards he''d been given by the Long Clan. He even shared how Long Huo had told him that his talent was worthless.


    By the time he finished, night had enveloped the sky, stars shimmering like scattered diamonds.


    "You certainly have an interesting tale," Yan Yi said. "While this is indeed a great opportunity, if your cultivation is lacking you will have a harder life than most mortals, perhaps staying with your family would''ve been a better choice."


    Xue San''s shoulders sagged, feeling even more dejected.


    "But remember," Yan Yi continued gently, "cultivation is about defying the heavens. Who knows? Maybe you''ll turn your fate around. The cultivation world has many stories of people beating the odds and becoming great cultivators."


    He waved his hand, and a small medicinal bottle materialized. "As Master''s disciple, I can''t let the person who found exactly what he needed, walk away with just a house, some gold coins, and the position of an outer sect disciple. So consider this an additional reward from me finding the Phoenix Fern."


    He handed Xue San a small bottle containing a dozen round blue pills.


    "When you get to the sect and start cultivating, these will be extremely helpful to you. I hope you use them wisely."


    "What are these, Senior Brother?" Xue San asked as he inspected the bottle.


    "These are Qi Replenishing Pills. They help restore Qi more quickly after battles and can also accelerate your cultivation. The spiritual energy in these pills is purer and easier to absorb than what you''d gain from a normal cultivation session."


    Xue San marveled at the sight of the pills; they seemed, absolutely flawless to him.


    "These are Mid-Grade Qi Replenishing Pills, so be careful not to show or tell anyone about them."


    "Mid-Grade Qi Replenishing Pills? What does that mean?" Xue San asked, puzzled.


    "Well, when an alchemist refines a product, some of the energy from the materials is lost. The product is still considered a success if it retains at least 50% of its potency, but its effects will be much weaker and will contain many impurities that the cultivator will have to expel later to avoid complications."


    "But Senior Brother, if it''s harmful, why even take poor-Grade products?" Xue San wondered.


    Yan Yi laughed at his naivety. "Xue San, even if it''s a poor-grade product, taking one or two pills a month does no harm. And even if you take more, there are methods to eliminate the residual impurities. For example, if you consume a Poor-Grade Qi Replenishing Pill, it might take about one hour to fully ''digest'' the energy inside the pill. That pill would be equivalent to a day of meditation. Now, imagine taking two pills a month for twelve months¡ªthat''s like gaining almost twenty-four extra days of cultivation."


    "I see," Xue San said, amazed. And these were only the poor-grade pills; the ones he had were Mid-Grade. "Then these pills..."


    "Yes, so be extra careful not to show them to anyone."


    "Yes!" Xue San replied excitedly. "Senior Brother, can you tell me more about the classification of pills?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.


    "Well, I suppose I can. It''s not like is a secret; you''ll find out sooner or later after you join the sect. Alchemical products are classified into Poor-Grade, Low-Grade, Mid-Grade, High-Grade, Peak-Grade, and finally, the legendary Perfect-Grade."


    "How does one determine the quality of a product Senior Brother?" Xue San asked eagerly. He had read The Compendium of Alchemy: Volume One, but besides memorizing herbs and plants, there was nothing about pills, and for some strange reason, he couldn''t read some parts of the book.


    "Hmph, so that old bastard isn''t done screwing me," Xue San thought bitterly. He now realized that the old man had duped him all those years ago; perhaps there was nothing special about the book after all.


    If Huo Ming knew that Xue San was cursing him he would probably end up coughing blood from anger.


    "It''s actually quite simple. You can determine the quality of a product by various factors¡ªits color, shape, smell, and so on. Poor-Grade products retain only between 50% and 59% of their potency. Low-Gradeproducts contain between 60% and 69%. Mid-Grade products have between 70% and 79%, High-Grade between 80% and 89%, and Peak-Grade between 90% and 99%. As for Perfect-Grade... those are extremely, and I mean extremely rare. Some alchemists may spend their entire lives without ever concocting even one Perfect-Gradeproduct."


    "Why is that, Senior Brother?"


    "Perfect-Grade products are also called Flawless Products because they retain 100% of the energy from the materials used and have no impurities. Legends say that in ancient times, only when an alchemist was able to concoct a Perfect-Grade product could they earn the right to advance to the next stage. It didn''t matter if they could concoct products of a higher stage; no one would recognize them without that perfection."


    "But, Senior Brother, a Peak-Grade pill is already so close to 100%. Does it really make that big of a difference?" Xue San asked.


    "Of course it does. Perfect-grade products are on another level entirely. An alchemist who can concoct them is said to be capable of creating almost any product of that stage; it represents complete mastery of that tier and signifies that the alchemist is ready to advance. But alas, it''s something only possible in ancient times. Nowadays, one just needs a 30% success rate and they can advance in their ranking" Yan Yi said with a hint of pity, as if he regretted being born in this age.


    And so, Xue San spent his time talking with Yan Yi well into the night.


    Aware of his situation, Yan Yi let Xue San stay in his cabin until they reached the Soaring Sword Sect.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 9: Outer Sect Disciple!

    Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 9: Outer Sect Disciple!


    The Soaring Sword Sect was one of the three great sects of the Saint Soul Kingdom and arguably its most powerful one. Nestled in a valley between three majestic mountains, the sect thrived in an environment ideal for cultivation, where spiritual energy was so abundant that in certain special areas, it even condensed into liquid form.


    Many years ago, the Sect Master of the Soaring Sword Sect chose this location precisely because of its natural concentration of spiritual energy. Over time, it evolved into the grand and majestic place it was today, with beautiful buildings and pagodas scattered throughout the valley like jewels adorning a crown.


    The sect was divided into three main areas. The outer sect area housed the Outer Sect Disciples. The inner area was home to the Inner Sect Disciples, as well as the residences of some elders and prominent families of the Soaring Sword Sect. Given the sect''s rich history, it was natural for factions to form over time.


    Lastly, there was the core area¡ªthe training ground for the Head Elders, the core disciples of the sect, and a few other special individuals of the sect. It also boasted the highest concentration of spiritual energy.


    The sect was bustling with activity as usual when a flying ship pierced through the skies, heading directly toward the core area.


    "Wow, was that the flying ship of Grandmaster Chu Feng?" exclaimed one of the disciples on patrol duty.


    "Of course it was, you dumbass. Didn''t you see the insignia on the ship?" replied his companion.


    "Hmph, it could have been one of the other elders," he grumbled, dissatisfaction evident in his tone.


    The two continued their patrol, bickering back and forth as they went about their duties.


    "Junior Sister Long, we will go and deliver the plant to Master. I''m sure you''re also eager to receive your reward; after all, with so many people searching for it, you were the one who found it," said Yan Yi in a meaningful tone.


    "Not at all, Senior Brother Yan," replied Long Huo modestly.


    They disembarked from the flying ship and walked along a small stone path.


    "Master must be on his way. I already sent him a message the moment we arrived at the sect. He¡ª"


    "Finally! Yan, you brat, what took you so long, goddammit? Don''t you know that if the Phoenix Fern isn''t well preserved, it loses some of its potency over time?" At that moment, they heard an old man''s voice and saw a figure soaring through the sky toward them, shouting.


    Yan Yi wore a dejected look. "Master, you know that I..." but he was interrupted again.


    "Yeah, yeah, who cares about that? Where is it?"


    "Here," said Yan Yi as he tossed a ring to his master.


    Grandmaster Chu Feng held the ring for a moment, his eyes brightening. "Ha ha ha! It really is a Phoenix Fern. Excellent, excellent!"


    "Master, this is the disciple who completed the mission," said Yan Yi, gesturing toward Long Huo.


    "Good, good. You can take this token to the Dragon Hall to receive your rewards. Congratulations on becoming a core disciple," said Grandmaster Chu Feng.


    Then he turned and flew away.


    "You will have to excuse my master, Junior Sister Long," Yan Yi said apologetically.


    "Not at all, Senior Brother Yan. I wouldn''t dare to take more time from someone as busy as Grandmaster Chu Feng. It was already a great honor to see him in person," said Long Huo with a sweet smile.


    "Well then, Junior Sister, I will escort you to the Dragon Hall."


    "This junior sister would be honored, Elder Brother Yan. As for the others, I will escort them to the outer sect area later."


    "As for the rest of you, come with us; someone will escort you later to the outer sect area," Yan Yi said.


    "Yes, Senior Brother," they all responded in unison.


    Xue San observed these interactions, stupefied. Was this the same woman who looked at him with scorn and disdain? Now, she appeared as an innocent, delicate girl conversing with her childhood sweetheart.


    They left Grandmaster Chu Feng''s dwelling and walked toward a grand pavilion. Xue San was in awe the entire time, his eyes wide as he took in the majestic surroundings, and the others were not much better.


    This was the Major Dragon Hall a majestic and sacred place within the Soaring Sword Sect. Here, Elders, Inner Sect Disciples, and Core Disciples could accept missions from the sect in exchange for rewards or contribution points.


    But that wasn''t all; disciples and Elders could also issue missions in exchange for rewards and contribution points, provided they offered the promised reward upfront. This system ensured that no one worked for free.


    The Major Dragon Hall was bustling with activity. Xue San noticed that, aside from a few individuals wearing robes of different colors, all the disciples wore white-grey robes emblazoned with an insignia on their chests that read "Inner Sword." Without exception, almost all disciples carried a sword with them.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    People were coming and going. When they saw Yan Yi walking beside Long Huo, many threw glances their way, recognizing Yan Yi, the personal disciple of Grandmaster Chu Feng, and Long Huo, a famous figure even among the inner sect.


    They approached a counter where a beautiful disciple in black robes stood, the words "Outer Sword" emblazoned on her chest.


    "Good morning, how may I assist you today?" she asked in a professional tone.


    "We are here to collect the rewards of a mission," said Yan Yi.


    "May I see the token to confirm the completion of the mission, please?"


    Yan Yi glanced at Long Huo.


    "Here it is," she said, handing over the token Grandmaster Chu Feng gave her.


    The young woman took the token from Long Huo''s hands and passed it over a formation inscribed on the table. When she saw who had issued the mission and what the rewards were, she couldn''t suppress a gasp.


    " It''s Gra... It''s Grandmaster Chu Feng''s mission!"


    She let out a tiny yelp. Those words of hers silenced the great hall as if someone had stolen all sound from the air. Everyone turned to look in their direction.


    "Wh... What? Someone already found the Phoenix Fern?" exclaimed an inner sect disciple.


    "Shit, I can''t believe it," said another.


    "The heavens are blind, why is she the one to find it," another one lamented.


    Yan Yi and Long Huo didn''t seem bothered by the attention, but Xue San and the others felt as if a mountain were pressing down on them, with everyone staring in their direction.


    "Hmph, is there a need to shout?" said Long Huo in a dissatisfied tone to the girl behind the counter.


    Realizing her mistake, the girl bowed deeply. "I am sorry, Senior Sister. I''ve confirmed the completion of the mission. The contribution points will be added to your token, and... and the Number Six manor in the core area will be assigned to you from now on. Here is the token that controls the arrays. The uniform of a core disciple will take some time to prepare; it will be done in a week." The girl composed herself and finished professionally.


    "Very well. Find someone to take these people to the outer sect area to register; they are entering with the recommendation of the Long Clan of Dragon Fort City" Long Huo instructed.


    "Yes, Senior Sister," the girl behind the counter responded. She pressed her head against her token, and another disciple wearing the same robes approached. It was a young boy with a round face. It was the first time Xue San saw such a fat person.


    "Please follow me," he said, a warm smile spreading across his rotund face. He seemed cheerful and good-natured.


    "My name is Fang Ma. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."


    Xue San had many questions, but for now, he decided to remain silent, unnerved by the glares he received from the Long Clan disciples.


    "Senior Brother Fang Ma, we are disciples of the noble Long Clan, so we already know all there is to know about the sect. We''ve been preparing since childhood to be selected," said Long Shang, a hint of pride coloring his tone. The other two also wore smug expressions as he spoke.


    "Yes, unlike other people," added Long Xia, his voice dripping with contempt as he cast a disdainful glance at Xue San.


    "My clan isn''t as renowned as the illustrious Long Clan, so I actually have some questions," came a cold voice from behind the trio. It was Lan Shui.


    The three instantly stiffened at the sound of her voice.


    "Junior Sister Lan Shui, we didn''t¡ª"


    "Yes, yes, Junior Sister Lan, how could you even think we were referring to you?"


    "We meant no disrespect to the Lan Clan," they stammered.


    "Hmph," Lan Shui snorted dismissively. "Senior Brother Fang Ma, I wanted to ask about the size of our Soaring Sword Sect."


    "Well," Fang Ma began, "the sect has about fifteen thousand people, give or take. There are around five thousand outer sect disciples; of those, only about one percent can actually make it to the Inner Sect. The rest remain as outer sect disciples and then after a time are assigned to work under one of the Halls. There is Dragon Hall, the Punishment Hall, the Medicinal Hall, well you get the gist of it"


    "What? Only about one percent?" Xue San exclaimed involuntarily.


    "Yes." Fang Ma nodded "The criteria to become an inner sect disciple are very stringent. Even without the promotion trials for inner sect positions, most outer sect disciples are already disqualified."


    "Why is that?" Lan Shui inquired.


    "Because one of the conditions to become an inner sect disciple is to be eighteen years of age or younger and at least at the sixth stage of the Qi Condensation Realm."


    The others seemed relatively unperturbed, but Xue San''s expression fell. Unlike the others, he knew he had little talent for cultivation and had never cultivated before.


    "What about the inner and core disciples?" Noticing Xue San''s dismay, Long Xia seized the opportunity to twist the knife.


    "The Inner Sect has around five to six hundred disciples," Fang Ma explained. "Most hail from major cultivator clans or are descendants of powerful elders. They have the resources and legacies to cultivate exceptional progeny. As for the core disciples, they''re legendary figures within the sect, each destined to become a prominent figure in the cultivation world. All of them have to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm before the age of twenty-five to even qualify for the core disciple trial." Then, as if recalling something, Fang Ma added, "Well, almost all¡ªexcluding the new addition."


    Seeing the somber expressions on their faces, Fang Ma attempted to lift their spirits.


    "Don''t worry too much about it; life as an outer sect disciple isn''t so bad. You receive three Poor-Grade Qi Replenishing Pill when you join, and then one every month, plus ten contribution points just for being part of the sect, and you can take missions at the Minor Dragon Hall."


    "What is the Minor Dragon Hall?" This time, to the surprise of the Long Clan trio, it was Xue San who asked the question.


    "The Minor Dragon Hall is similar to the Major Dragon Hall we just left, you can issue and accept missions there but the difference is that even people who aren''t part of the sect can accept missions at the Minor Dragon Hall. Non-sect members have to pay extra for the sect to issue the missions. We, outer sect disciples, can only accept missions issued at the Minor Dragon Hall."


    "Why is that?" Xue San pressed.


    "Because missions given in the Major Dragon Hall are intended to help inner sect disciples grow faster. It''s a form of support the sect provides to its most diligent disciples. They don''t want to squander precious resources on talentless outer sect disciples. Can you even imagine if some talentless guy, who isn''t even part of our sect, could accept, for example, Grandmaster Chu Feng''s mission and become a core disciple? Hahaha!" Fang Ma burst into laughter, oblivious to the chill that settled over the group as he spoke.


    The remainder of the journey was cloaked in silence. Fang Ma assumed they were absorbing the information he had shared, unawaree of how tense the atmosphere had become.


    "Here we are," Fang Ma announced.


    The Minor Dragon Hall was a place of ceaseless movement and vibrant energy. Its grand corridors echoed with the footsteps of outer sect disciples, esteemed elders, and even visiting dignitaries. This was where the Sect conducted its business with the outside world, serving as a bridge between the Sect and the outside world. Merchants arrived with goods, messengers delivered news, and missions were dispatched for the outer sect Disciples. The Minor Dragon Hall wasn''t just a building; it was one of the living pulses of the Sect, where ambitions ignited and destinies were forged.


    Approaching one of the counters where a disciple in black robes stood¡ªthe words "Outer Sword" on his robes¡ªFeng Ma said, "Hello there. These are new recruits from the Long Clan. Register them as outer sect disciples."


    "Yes, Senior Brother Fang Ma," the disciple behind the counter replied with a bow.


    "Well, good luck from here on out," Fang Ma said with a cheerful wave before leaving.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 10: Life As An Outer Sect Disciple.

    Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 10: Life As An Outer Sect Disciple.


    Approaching one of the counters where a disciple in black robes stood¡ªthe words "Outer Sword" on his robes¡ªFang Ma said, "Hello there. These are new recruits from the Long Clan. Register them as outer sect disciples."


    "Yes, Senior Brother Fang Ma," the disciple behind the counter replied with a bow.


    "Well, good luck from here on out," Fang Ma said with a cheerful wave before leaving.


    The disciple behind the counter looked at them and said, "Since you came with the recommendation from the Long Family, you don''t have to take the entrance trial to join the sect. I need your name, age, place of origin, cultivation realm, and your aptitude. If you don''t know your aptitude, you can perform the test now."


    Long Shang stepped forward confidently. "Name: Long Shang. Age: seventeen. Place of Origin: Dragon Fort City, Long Clan. Cultivation Realm: Fifth Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. Aptitude: Low Earth Tier."


    He finished with a smug smile on his face.


    "Now, I just need you to drip a drop of blood onto the token, and the process will be complete," the disciple instructed.


    Long Shang made a small cut on his finger and let a few drops of blood fall onto the token. The token glowed briefly before returning to its normal state. The token was crafted from what appeared to be gray jade encased in metal, bearing the word "Sword" on one side and "Outer" on the other.


    Next, Long Xia stepped forward. "Name: Long Xia. Age: sixteen. Place of Origin: Dragon Fort City, Long Clan. Cultivation Realm: Fourth Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. Aptitude: High Human Tier."


    He repeated the same procedure as Long Shang and got his token.


    Then Long Zhong stepped forward. "Name: Long Zhong. Age: sixteen. Place of Origin: Dragon Fort City, Long Clan. Cultivation Realm: Fourth Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. Aptitude: High Human Tier."


    He, too, followed the same process.


    Before Xue San could move, Lan Shui stepped forward. "Name: Lan Shui. Age: fifteen. Place of Origin: Dragon Fort City, Lan Clan. Cultivation Realm: Sixth Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. Aptitude: High Earth Tier."


    The disciple behind the counter was surprised by Lan Shui''s age, cultivation level, and aptitude. He knew that people like her were destined to leave the outer sect sooner or later, so his posture involuntarily straightened up a bit.


    "Here is your token, Junior Sister. If there''s anything you need in the future, you can always find me here at the Minor Dragon Hall," he said, offering a polite smile.


    "Thank you," Lan Shui replied with a nod.


    Finally, it was Xue San''s turn. As he stepped forward, he could already see the jeering smiles on the faces of the Long Clan trio.


    "Name: Xue San. Age: fourteen. Place of Origin: Silverberry Village. Cultivation Realm: None. Aptitude: Low Human Tier."


    Xue San''s cheeks burned with embarrassment, especially following right after Lan Shui''s.


    The disciple behind the counter gave Xue San a peculiar look. It wasn''t unheard of for cultivator clans to send people who weren''t part of their clan to the sect¡ªindividuals with no cultivation but exceptional aptitude¡ªto train them and eventually marry them into their clan. But this? A boy with Low Human Tier talent recommended by a cultivator clan was something he''d never encountered.


    "Don''t worry, Senior Brother," said Long Shang with a mocking tone. "He''s our clan''s charity case. Hahaha!" The other two laughed along with him.


    Xue San clenched his fists, growing tired of the constant taunts from these three.


    "What happens now?" Lan Shui asked, stopping the Long Clan trio laughter.


    "While Outer Sect disciples are not obligated to undertake any missions or perform specific tasks, failing to make any progress within a year will result in the loss of your status. We will find you accommodations," the disciple explained. "In the Soaring Sword Sect, males and females don''t share quarters, so we''ll need to arrange a place for Junior Sister Lan Shui. As for the rest of you, since you come from the same..." he hesitated slightly, "...the same place, you will all stay together at house number 1169. All the houses in the outer sect have four rooms, a kitchen, a small yard, and all the other necessities. Junior Sister Lan Shui, you will stay at house number 1250; there are already two other junior sisters there. Someone will come by to deliver your uniforms and a bottle of pills later. All new disciples get three Low-Grade Qi Replenishing Pills when they join the sect, after that you will receive two pills a month.


    . Also, the contribution points have already been added to your tokens."


    Xue San''s face paled when he heard he would be staying with the Long Clan trio, but they, on the other hand, had wide grins on their faces.


    Seeing this, the disciple behind the counter sighed and said, "Also, take note that fights between fellow disciples are strictly forbidden. Any life-threatening injuries can result in your expulsion from the sect and the crippling of your cultivation. Killing a fellow disciple can even implicate your clans."


    Hearing him, the Long Clan trio''s smiles stiffened a bit; one could see the nefarious thoughts they had about Xue San diminish somewhat.


    "The residences are on the east side; you can go on your own now."


    Exiting the Minor Dragon Hall, they all walked in silence. There were many people coming and going along the way, but none of them questioned what they were doing there. After some time, they reached the housing area of the outer sect disciples.


    They still had to walk for a while to get to their respective residences.


    When they arrived at residence number 1169, Lan Shui turned to them and said, "I hope you don''t embarrass the young lady and behave yourselves, or else..." She finished with a tinge of coldness in her voice.


    "Junior Sister Lan Shui, don''t worry. We won''t do anything to embarrass our Long Clan and our young miss," said Long Shang while throwing a disdainful glance at Xue San.


    "Very well," she said, then turned and left for her residence.


    "The sect rules may save you from being killed or crippled, but don''t think life will be easy from now on, you trash. Let''s get in," said Long Shang.


    They all went inside the residence. Xue San followed them, stepping through the front door. But just as he entered, Long Shang spun around and delivered a vicious kick to his abdomen. Xue San was sent flying out of the residence, pain exploding in his stomach as if he''d been struck by a boulder.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    "Dogs should sleep outside. While we are here, you''re not allowed to take a single step inside," Long Shang sneered. He then slammed the door shut, leaving Xue San on his knees, clutching his stomach and fighting the urge to vomit.


    Not really knowing how to proceed, he just waited there for his uniform and pills. He still had a lot of questions about the sect, so he hoped to get some answers.


    After waiting for about two hours, Xue San saw Fatty Fang Ma approaching, his usual smile stretching across his round face.


    "Well, well, well, if it isn''t the person who came with our new core disciple," Fang Ma said.


    "Senior Brother Fang Ma," Xue San bowed. He was relieved to see someone familiar, and Fang Ma''s easygoing demeanor was a welcome sight.


    "So, what are you doing here?" Fang Ma asked.


    "I was waiting for the person who was going to deliver the robes and pills, I had a few more questions to ask," Xue San replied.


    "Oh, then go ahead and ask," Fang Ma encouraged.


    "You see..." Xue San hesitated, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I don''t actually know how to cultivate, and I was wondering if you could help me."


    "Well, that''s pretty easy. The sect offers public lessons on cultivation once a week for free. They''re conducted by an outer sect elder at the Foundation Establishment Stage. Any questions you have about cultivation can usually be answered by the elder, even if you use a cultivation technique provided by your clan. There are also specialized lessons, but you''ll need to spend contribution points to attend those. And finally, there is the Public Library, a vast repository housing an vast collection of books¡ªfrom historical chronicles to poetry. However, I do not recommend visiting it at this time. Although it offers a wealth of information, spending your limited points there is not worthwhile. Beyond general knowledge, there is little of practical value to be discovered. Instead, attending public lessons would be a more advantageous use of your resources."


    "What if... what if I don''t have a cultivation technique?" Xue San asked, his cheeks flushing slightly.


    "Oh, that''s very easy. All new outer sect disciples can go to the Scripture Pavilion and choose one cultivation technique. You can also pick a martial art. If you want to learn more, you''ll need to use contribution points to exchange for it. You can earn merit points by completing sect missions; most disciples usually take some easy missions like patrolling or tending spiritual gardens, but you can look through them later and pick what suits you."


    "Thank you very much, Senior Brother. Could you please tell me where the Scripture Pavilion is?"


    "Sure, but if you wait a little, I can take you there."


    "Yes, please," Xue San said gratefully.


    After delivering the pills and uniforms to the Long Clan trio, Fang Ma led Xue San to the Scripture Pavilion.


    The Scripture Pavilion was a towering edifice that exuded an aura of ancient wisdom and formidable power. Constructed from dark jade and reinforced with spiritual arrays, the pavilion was both a library and a fortress, safeguarding the sect''s most precious cultivation methods and martial arts techniques.


    Xue San noticed that the door to the Scripture Pavilion was wide open with no one standing guard. "Senior Brother, why is there no one guarding the entrance?" he asked.


    "Hahaha, Junior Brother, if you think that just because you don''t see anyone, there''s no one guarding this place, you''re mistaken. If you tried to steal something here, you would die without even knowing how." Then he turned to the pavilion and said, "Right, Uncle?"


    "Hmph, Fang Ma, you fatty, why aren''t you training instead of wasting your time?" Xue San heard a voice that seemed to come from everywhere at once.


    "Uncle, that''s not very nice to say. How can you call your favorite nephew a fatty?" Fang Ma said, a carefree smile playing on his lips.


    "Hmph! You waste of space and talent! Why are you here?" his uncle snapped.


    "I am escorting this junior brother so that he may pick a cultivation method and a martial arts technique," Fang Ma replied calmly.


    Xue San felt a wave of cold wind pass through him, then he heard Fang Ma uncle''s voice again. "You can go inside and pick a cultivation method and one martial arts technique that costs up to 100 contribution points," the elder said. "If you want more, you can use contribution points or valuable resources such as pills to exchange for them. If you reach the third stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, you may return and ascend to the next floor to choose another martial arts technique that costs up to 200 contribution points. Understood?"


    "Yes, thank you, Senior," Xue San said, clasping his hands and bowing respectfully. "Senior Brother, I will go inside now. Thank you for everything."


    "Sure, no problem," Fang Ma responded with his usual easy smile.


    As Xue San entered the Scripture Pavilion, Fang Ma heard his uncle''s voice again. "Don''t bother with him. I just checked; his talent is abysmal, and he doesn''t even come from a great clan."


    "I know," Fang Ma replied softly. "I just wanted to give him a helping hand. He looked so pitiful and cute."


    "Ah, you brat and your weird tastes. Just take the goddamn inner sect test and move to the inner area."


    "But I still want to play some more, Uncle."


    "You damn fatty, scram before I beat you half to death. You are the disgrace of our family."


    Inside the Scripture Pavilion, Xue San was awestruck by the endless rows of shelves laden with scrolls and manuals of martial arts techniques. However, he noticed there were only three cultivation methods on the entire floor.


    He decided to examine the cultivation methods first.


    The first was the Heaven and Earth Sutra, a profound cultivation method tailored specifically for practitioners at the Qi Condensation Realm. Revered for its ability to harmonize the practitioner''s internal energy with the fundamental forces of Heaven and Earth, this method allowed cultivators to accelerate their cultivation and establish a solid foundation for higher realms.


    Next, Xue San picked up the Soaring Sword Technique, a prestigious and formidable cultivation method¡ªthe legacy of the Soaring Sword Sect. This portion of the method was for practitioners in the Qi Cultivation Stage. It seamlessly integrated swordsmanship with Qi manipulation, enabling cultivators to harmonize their inner energy with their swords, thus achieving unparalleled agility, precision, and power. The technique was divided into four parts.


    The last book he examined was titled QI Compression Method. On the first page, a warning caught his eye:


    Warning to those who choose this cultivation method: This is only a part of a technique found by one of the sect elders after he explored some ancient ruins. Using this method makes it impossible to switch to other methods afterward, and it cannot be used beyond the Qi Condensation Stage. Many have tried and failed to advance, some even losing their lives due to Qi deviation. The only way to progress further is to find the missing parts.


    The Qi Compression Method taught practitioners to condense mna into a denser, more potent form within their dantian. Even those with poorer aptitudes could make significant progress using this cultivation method. It required focused visualization and breath control to compress the spiritual energy, increasing its intensity. Precise control and visualization were essential.


    Xue San was about to return the book to the shelf deciding to take the Soaring Sword Technique when Long Huo''s scornful words echoed in his mind: "You have low-tier Human Talent. With this kind of trash aptitude, you''ll be lucky to reach even the middle stage of the Qi Condensation Realm¡ªthat''s it."


    Though Long Huo''s words were harsh, Xue San knew that, given his own talent, there was truth in them.


    Determination steeled within him. He decided to take his chance with the Qi Compression Method.


    Turning his attention to the martial arts techniques, he sifted through titles like The Shadow Steps Technique, The Lightning Sword, The War God Body, etc. Each had an impressive name, but Xue San sought a well-rounded technique. The better ones were too expensive for him. After more than an hour of searching, he found what he was looking for: the "Hundred Phantom Hands"


    "Perfect," he whispered.


    The principle behind the technique was that a cultivator extended their Qi outward to form numerous ethereal hands, allowing interaction with the environment beyond physical reach. With these phantom hands, the cultivator could perform multiple actions simultaneously¡ªblocking attacks from different directions while launching counterattacks. The technique required immense concentration and mastery over one''s energy, enabling precise control over each hand independently.


    "The only problem is the price," Xue San muttered. He was allowed to pick a martial arts technique worth 100 contribution points, but the Hundred Phantom Hands was valued at 200 contribution points.


    "Senior, can I get this technique and offer poor-quality Qi Condensation Pills in exchange for the contribution points I''m missing?" he asked, hope tinging his voice.


    "One poor-quality Qi Condensation Pills pill is worth 50 contribution points," came the curt reply from somewhere.


    "Then I will use two poor-quality Qi Condensation Pills and take this Hundred Phantom Hands. I also chose the Qi Compression Method as my cultivation method." Xue San took out the bottle containing the pills, took two out, and held them out. He watched in amazement as the two pills floated from his hand and vanished. Moments later, two books appeared before him.


    "Take these copies and leave," the elder''s voice echoed.


    "Thank you, Senior!" Xue San said earnestly, bowing deeply.


    Clutching the precious manuals, Xue San left the Scripture Pavilion, a newfound determination burning within him.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 11: Free Public Lesson.

    Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 11: Free Public Lesson.


    "Then I will use two poor-quality Qi Condensation Pills and take this Hundred Phantom Hands. I also chose the Mana Compression Method as my cultivation method." Xue San took out the bottle containing the pills, took two out, and held them out. He watched in amazement as the two pills floated from his hand and vanished. Moments later, two books appeared before him.


    "Take these copies and leave," the elder''s voice echoed.


    "Thank you, Senior!" Xue San said earnestly, bowing deeply.


    Clutching the precious manuals, Xue San left the Scripture Pavilion, a newfound determination burning within him.


    As he stepped outside, dusk had settled in; the moon was already ascending to claim the sky from the sun. Xue San took a deep breath and set off. He had no idea where he was heading. Returning was out of the question¡ªthe relentless bullying would only continue. So he walked onward, destination unknown, his footsteps echoing his uncertainty.


    He yearned for a place where he could rest and maybe begin his cultivation. With no other options, he decided to head to the mountain behind the living area. Survival in the wilderness didn''t daunt him; he had the necessary skills. Embracing the idea, he pressed on.


    The mountain was a verdant expanse, brimming with trees and lush greenery that seemed to breathe life into the very air. Towering trees formed a dense canopy, their leaves whispering tales with every breeze. The forest floor was a mosaic of wildflowers and ferns, alive with the scurrying of small creatures. Birds sang melodious tunes from hidden nests, and the gentle rustle of leaves provided a soothing backdrop. It was a sanctuary teeming with vitality and natural beauty.


    Xue San walked until he found a magnificent oak tree beside a babbling stream of water. Its branches were broad and sturdy, forming a natural canopy¡ªa perfect place to rest.


    That night, he didn''t cultivate; he simply rested there, gazing up at the tapestry of stars. Thoughts swirled in his mind about everything that had transpired since he left the village. He wondered if his family was doing okay if they had reunited with his elder brother.


    Truthfully, he didn''t understand why he felt this relentless urge to cultivate and endure such abuse. He could have stayed with his family, and enjoyed a comfortable life in a big city with countless pleasures. If he left now, no one would blame him; he wouldn''t have to be alone.


    And who could fault him? He was just a fourteen-year-old boy with dreams of becoming an immortal, not fully grasping the cruelty of this world. No matter how much others had tried to warn him, only through personal experience did he truly understand: life was the harshest of teachers.


    But as these thoughts crossed his mind, a tiny nagging feeling stirred deep within him, like a low murmur¡ªa whisper he couldn''t quite decipher, as if someone or something was trying to tell him something.


    And so, Xue San spent his first night in the sect sleeping in a tree, the vast expanse of the starlit sky his only blanket.


    Early the next morning, his stomach woke him, protesting with hunger. He cleaned himself in the stream, donned his outer sect uniform, and set out to find where the outer sect disciples ate. After inquiring with some passing disciples, he discovered, to his dismay, that meals for outer sect disciples were delivered to their residences.


    Since returning was not an option, he decided to look for food in the forest. After a while, he caught some fish and found some herbs to season them. Grilling them over a makeshift fire, he enjoyed an unexpectedly delightful breakfast.


    After eating Xue San picked up the Mana Compression Method manual.


    "This is it, my first step toward becoming an immortal," Xue San murmured with a smile, trying to mask his nervousness. He opened the Mana Compression Method manual.


    He began to read:


    "In the beginning, a cultivator needs to find a quiet environment to start meditating, focusing on deep, rhythmic breathing to calm the mind. Direct your attention to your Dantian (located below the navel), visualizing the mana as a warm, light stream of water gathering there. Concentrate and gently compress this mana, imagining it condensing into a denser, more potent core within your Dantian. Maintain steady focus and breath control throughout the process, progressing gradually to prevent internal imbalance. This method enhances the intensity of your energy, amplifying your cultivation progress and cleansing your body of impurities even more."


    The manual included detailed illustrations of the proper postures, highlighting key points to observe.


    Xue San assumed the meditation posture and began his first-ever cultivation session. His breathing became deep and rhythmic, just as the manual instructed. He felt a profound connection with the nature surrounding him. Then he sensed it: mana entering through his nostrils, beginning to circulate. Like a delicate stream, the energy flowed through his body.


    It was arduous; circulating even this tiny amount of mana was extremely difficult for Xue San. The pathways felt obstructed, with barriers that impeded the flow, and in some places, they were so blocked that barely any energy passed through. Finally, after a full cycle, a minuscule amount reached his Dantian. But his task was not over¡ªhe still had to compress the energy. Xue San tried to do it, but the mana dispersed from his Dantian, like water slipping through his fingers back into the sea.


    Opening his eyes, he realized that dusk was already approaching.


    "What... What the hell! All this work for nothing," Xue San muttered in frustration. Uncertain of how to proceed, he recalled Fang Ma''s words and decided to find out when the next free public lesson would be.


    "At least something is going my way for once," he thought upon learning that the public lesson would be tomorrow morning, in a lecture pavilion north of the Minor Dragon Hall.


    With nothing else to do, he decided to look for food and rest for the remainder of the day. Xue San couldn''t help but chuckle at the absurdity of his situation: here he was, in a powerful cultivation sect, yet he had to live in the forest and hunt for his own meals.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    At dawn the next day, Xue San made his way to attend the free lecture, hoping to resolve his doubts and perhaps even pose a question or two.


    He joined the flow of people heading toward the lecture pavilion. He hadn''t expected such a large crowd for the free lesson, but after overhearing snippets of conversations among the disciples, he began to understand why.


    Only about 10% to 15% of the outer sect disciples had entered the sect like him, through recommendations¡ªin other words, without taking any tests. The others had to undergo rigorous trials to gain admission, and many of them were not yet cultivators, just like him. These lessons were actually intended for those who had little to no prior contact with cultivation but possessed the aptitude for it.


    The Lecture Pavilion was true to its name: a vast, open space with a platform on one side serving as a stage. Surrounding it were rows of stone seats in a semicircle, providing a clear view of the platform to everyone present. The layout was both grand and welcoming, with the platform slightly elevated¡ªperfect for demonstrations or speeches.


    Xue San took a seat on the edge, trying not to draw too much attention. He waited for the lesson to start, the place buzzing with the sounds of disciples conversing.


    "Okay, settle down," a voice came from above.


    They all looked up to see a man in his fifties, wearing dark red robes with the words "Outer Elder" embroidered on the left side of his chest. He was descending gracefully to the center of the platform, standing atop a flying sword.


    "My name is Fang Yi, and I will be your instructor today," he announced. "The lesson will be divided into two parts: first, I will talk about the basics of cultivation, and afterward, you can pose any questions you may have. While I talk, no one is allowed to speak. Understood?"


    "Yes, Senior," all the disciples responded in unison.


    Instructor Fang Yi spoke about the Qi Establishment Stage. He described how he entered the 1st stage of the Qi Condensation Realm through deep meditation, harmonizing his energy with the rhythms of nature. Daily practices involved visualizing the flow of mana and maintaining mental and emotional clarity. He discussed about the challenges he encountered along the way like energy stagnation, explaining the underlying reasons and how to overcome them.


    Instructor Fang Yi emphasized the importance of laying a strong foundation throughout this stage.


    After he finished speaking, he waited a while for the disciples to digest all the information he had shared.


    "Now I will answer any questions that you may have," he said.


    "Instructor Fang Yi," a girl blurted out as she jumped to her feet. Then she realized that no one else was clamoring to ask questions, her cheeks flushed crimson.


    "Go ahead."


    "Yes, when... when I try to cultivate, I can only do it by using the pill that was given by the sect, and even then, most of the energy is lost."


    "That''s because when you meditate, you must be doing it incorrectly," Fang Yi explained. "There is a disharmony between your body and mind, making you unable to properly feel the mana. Focus on your breathing"


    After the girl, a few other disciples asked some other questions, all of which Instructor Fang Yi Xue San thought there would be many more people posing queries. Seeing that no one else was going to ask anything, he stood up and spoke.


    "Instructor Fang Yi, when practicing the Mana Compression Method, the energy that I gathered in the core didn''t condense, and then after it dispersed. Why is that?"


    Fang Yi gave him a deep look before replying, "The Mana Compression Method is a difficult technique to cultivate but an amazingly powerful one. However, if you truly use it, you won''t ever be able to reach the Foundation Establishment Stage. Are you sure you want to cultivate using it?"


    "Yes!" Xue San replied firmly.


    "Very well. The reason the mana dispersed when it reached your Dantian is that the amount you gathered was too minimal. The Mana Compression Method requires a certain threshold of mana to be present in the Dantian to initiate "compression". Unlike other cultivation techniques, which gradually store mana in your Dantian, the Mana Compression Method only retains mana after you have completed the ''compression'' phase of the process. This is where the technique''s difficulty truly begins: you must simultaneously cultivate and focus on your Dantian to keep the mana from dispersing. Once you''ve amassed a sufficient quantity, you should be able to condense the mana, and it will no longer dissipate. The practice is exceedingly challenging, but the benefits are immense, and your cultivation speed will also be faster than normal."


    "I see. Thank you, Instructor Fang Yi," Xue San said, clasping his hands and bowing.


    "Even if a cultivator has a really poor aptitude, he can still reach the late stage of the Foundation Establishment Stage with pills or other materials," Fang Yi continued. "But there hasn''t been one who could switch to another cultivation method after starting with the Mana Compression Method. You aren''t the first, and you won''t be the last to use it. I hope you are sure about picking this technique. Is there any other question?"


    But no one stood up.


    "Very well, we will end today''s lesson here," Fang Yi concluded. Then he departed atop his flying sword.


    The disciples departed one after another, some bearing expressions as if their worlds had crumbled. They were the ones who had chosen and successfully cultivated the Mana Compression Method, having not taken the warnings seriously at first.


    The only exception to this was Xue San, who understood that for him, there was no other path available.


    Xue San rushed back to his secluded spot in the forest behind the outer sect disciples'' living quarters. Anticipation coursed through him; he couldn''t wait to attempt cultivating again and see if this time the results would be different.


    Beneath the sprawling oak tree, he sat cross-legged, his breathing steady, spiritual energy slowly seeping into his body.


    This time, as he completed one cycle, his mind went into overdrive. He concentrated intensely on maintaining control of the Qi within his dantian while simultaneously drawing in more Qi from the surrounding environment. It was an exceedingly arduous task, but by some miracle, he succeeded in completing another cycle, and the tiny amount of Qi in his body doubled.


    Despite this progress, he sensed that failure still loomed, so he resolved to repeat the process once more. But then a splitting headache pierced his concentration. When he opened his eyes, the sky was already awash with stars.


    "Shit, how much time did I spend cultivating?" he grumbled, his stomach protesting loudly.


    And just like that, his second attempt at cultivation ended in failure. His head throbbed, and his stomach felt as if it were glued to his spine from hunger.


    He went to check some of the traps he had set the previous day and, luckily, found a plump rabbit caught in one of them.


    He prepared the rabbit over a fire. Just as he was about to enjoy his meal and settle in for the night, a sudden crack echoed through the forest.


    Startled, Xue San jumped to his feet. "Who is there?" he shouted, thinking it might be Long Shang and his cohorts. From the shadows of the bushes, a tiny creature emerged.


    He exhaled in relief. "Hey, little buddy, come here."


    "Ghreee," came the timid response.


    "Oh, it''s actually a wolf cub?"


    "Ghreee," the tiny wolf cub growled softly, visibly afraid yet too hungry to flee.


    "Come here." Xue San tore off one of the rabbit''s legs and waved it enticingly in front of the wolf cub.


    The wolf cub hesitated but, driven by hunger, threw caution to the wind and approached him.


    Xue San tossed the rabbit leg to the cub, who pounced on it, devouring it in an instant. Then it lifted its tiny head, eyes meeting his.


    "Hahaha, you''re a greedy little fellow, aren''t you?" he chuckled, tossing the cub another leg.


    The wolf cub devoured the second leg just as quickly. Once finished, it trotted over to Xue San and began licking his hands.


    "Haha, so cute. So you''re alone too, buddy. How about you stay with me here for now?"


    "Woof!"


    "Maybe you really are a dog and not a wolf," Xue San joked. "Alright, from now on you''ll be... let''s see." He pondered for a moment, admiring the cub''s beautiful, bushy silver fur. Finally, he decided. "You will be Fluffy from now on."


    The wolf cub looked at him quizzically and barked again as if asking for more food.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 12: No!... How...? Where is it?!

    Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 12: No!... How...? Where is it?!


    The wolf cub devoured the second leg just as quickly. Once finished, it trotted over to Xue San and began licking his hands.


    "Haha, so cute. So you''re alone too, buddy. How about you stay with me here for now?"


    "Woof!"


    "Maybe you really are a dog and not a wolf," Xue San joked. "Alright, from now on you''ll be... let''s see." He pondered for a moment, admiring the cub''s beautiful, bushy silver fur. Finally, he decided. "You will be Fluffy from now on."


    The wolf cub looked at him quizzically and barked again as if asking for more food.


    Over the next few days, Xue San''s routine remained unchanged: waking up, eating, cultivating, eating again, and then resting. The wolf cub, Fluffy, usually appeared when he smelled the food Xue San was cooking, leaving after filling his belly.


    "Damn it," Xue San cursed. "How many attempts does this make?" He had tried time and again, yet he couldn''t break through this barrier. "There''s not enough spiritual energy in my dantian to break through."


    He thought about the Poor-Grade Qi Replenishing Pills. "No, I need something stronger," he decided, turning to the pills Yan Yi had given him. "I guess there''s no other way around." He hadn''t wanted to use them, knowing how precious they were, hoping to save them for when he hit the limits of his poor talent. But after spending all this time without being able to enter the Qi Condensation Stage, he finally decided to use the pills from Yan Yi.


    Taking out one of the blue pills, Xue San was once again mesmerized by it. Compared to the Poor-Grade ones, these were slightly smaller, and their blue color was much clearer.


    He assumed the meditation position, popped the pill into his mouth, and swallowed it. For a moment, nothing happened. Then a current of energy burst through his body¡ªsomething he had never experienced before.


    There was so much spiritual energy in that one small pill that Xue San only had to direct it, and it flowed effortlessly. It was like comparing a tiny, calm stream to a raging, overflowing river during a storm.


    Then he felt it: pain¡ªa great amount of pain. There was too much spiritual energy for his meridians, which could barely allow a tiny amount of energy to pass through. Xue San endured the agony and concentrated on his dantian; the spiritual energy there was already three times more than he had ever accumulated during his longest cultivation sessions.


    Ignoring the pain and excess spiritual energy in his body, he devoted his mind to the compression process. He pushed the mass of spiritual energy in his dantian to start spinning like a tiny tornado, expanding and compressing repeatedly. After an indeterminate amount of time, the spiritual energy inside imploded and then reformed into a beautiful, colorless gaseous mass of energy.


    "Yes, finally!" Xue San exclaimed, exhilarated. He had done it¡ªhe was now a true cultivator. But his happiness was short-lived. His core began to rotate and tremble, slipping out of his control.


    Panic surged through him. He didn''t understand what was happening. Then he remembered something, and his face paled even more. "Cultivation deviation," he thought, just before a bang sent tremors through his whole body. Xue San watched in horror as the core in his dantian, which he had spent so much energy building, burst into tiny motes of light.


    Pain¡ªunimaginable, indescribable pain. "Arrrrhhhhh!" Xue San let out a scream that many disciples who heard it thought came from a beast that had escaped one of the training grounds.


    His whole body felt like it was on fire; his blood felt like molten lava. At that moment, Xue San thought death would be better than this. Then he felt something crack inside him, and finally, sweet, sweet release came as he lost consciousness. Even then, his body continued to twitch on the ground, blood oozing from his pores.


    At that moment, many of the most powerful individuals in the Soaring Sword Sect stopped what they were doing and cast their gazes to the sky, horrified by what they saw.


    "What... What is that thing?"


    "Is it someone from the outside?"


    "The spi... The spiritual energy is gathering above¡ªwhy?"


    Far above the Soaring Sword Sect, a shadow of a giant appeared, and spiritual energy from all around the sect gathered like a tornado. This phenomenon continued for about a minute, then it all disappeared as if nothing had happened.


    In a faraway place among the stars, stood a temple made entirely of what looked like human bones. It wasn''t very large, but it exuded a feeling of timelessness, and the energy it gave off was ominous as if the beings whose bones were used to construct it were still trying to reach from beyond to harm the temple''s creators.


    Inside the temple was a very realistic statue of what looked like a giant snake trapped in chains, it was dilapidated and riddled with cracks, as though the slightest breeze could reduce it to dust. Beside it stood an old man who resembled a mummy, with milky white sunken eyes and skin that was dried and wrinkled as the bark of an ancient tree.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Suddenly, one of the chains on the statue cracked, but it returner to normal instantly, if no one was paying special attention to it would go unoticed.


    "No!... How...?!" The elderly who stood there unmoving for aeons suddenly oppened his eyes. He struck his chest sharply and spat out a mouthful of golden blood. Without hesitation, he began forming intricate incantation gestures with such blistering speed that his movements blurred into near invisibility. His eyes then blazed with a radiant golden light, "Impossible!" In that very instant, the venerable figure dissolved into thin air, vanishing from the temple.


    Xue San was oblivious to all the changes occurring; he was just happy that the pain had ended.


    "Where am I?" he wondered. He didn''t understand what was happening. One minute he was celebrating finally being able to successfully cultivate and enter the Qi Condensation Stage; the next, his core burst apart, and now he was floating in a dark space.


    Then Xue San froze because he saw IT.


    A being of unimaginable proportions¡ªmagnificent and enveloped in a radiant luminescence that captivated all who beheld it. Its scales shimmered with different colors¡ªflames danced alongside flowing water, gusts of wind intertwined with solid earth¡ªeach reflecting mastery over nature''s formidable forces. Its eyes were like stars, piercing the heavens, emanating a profound energy that inspired both awe and reverence. Along its spine, ancient runes glowed with an ethereal light, pulsating rhythmically as if whispering long-forgotten secrets.


    Xue San was awestruck; even if his imagination worked in overdrive, he wouldn''t have been able to conceive something like this.


    The being turned to look at him and said a word in a language that Xue San didn''t know, but for some reason, he understood its meaning: "Weak." Then it all disappeared, and Xue San opened his eyes.


    He was still in the same place as before, his body aching all over and stained with black filth and blood.


    Xue San''s eyes reddened, and he burst into tears. "Damn it, damn it, damn it!" All the things he went through, and this was it¡ªhe had somehow managed to screw things up and have his core destroyed. Why was this happening to him?


    Maybe this was the final sign that it was time for him to call it quits and leave everything, to just go back and live a normal life with his family in Dragon Fort City.


    Opening his eyes, Xue San felt like his whole body had been trampled by a horse; there wasn''t a single part of him that didn''t hurt.


    He eventually got up, his body still aching all over. Taking off his clothes, he went to the stream to wash himself. The clear water became filthy with all the blood and black goo that covered him. Even the smell was quite nauseating, but he didn''t seem to care.


    "At least I won''t have to worry about those three idiots from the Long Clan," he tried to cheer himself up, but tears still welled in his eyes.


    What Xue San failed to notice was that his body had grown taller by a few inches, and even though he was in good shape before, his muscles were now more refined and masculine. If he once had a boyish charm, now there was a more manly aura about him.


    Getting out of the water, he donned his spare outer sect disciple robes. At a loss for what to do, he ended up sitting there, staring at nothing in particular. He didn''t understand why he was so heartbroken over this, or when his dream of becoming an immortal had become so important that he was this emotional about it.


    He stayed there, absorbing the surrounding environment late into the night. He didn''t even notice when the tiny wolf cub came and sat next to him. Without realizing it, he began using the Qi Compression Method. The spiritual energy in the air around him rushed toward him as if he were a black hole. Then Xue San felt a pang in his dantian and finally realized that something was there.


    "What...? What is going on here?" Inside his dantian, where there used to be a tiny, colorless core, there was now a core the size of a chicken egg, golden in color, and the spiritual energy was so dense it was almost in liquid form. "Is this a dream? Am I dreaming? Wait¡ªthe spiritual energy... the spiritual energy circulation is so smooth."


    Xue San closed his eyes and tried to cultivate a bit. To his astonishment, the spiritual energy circulated without any obstructions whatsoever. In fact, he felt like he could absorb even more, the flow of spiritual energy in his body felt like a tiny stream flowing through a canal built for a giant river.


    "Amazing, haha, incredible!" Xue San began to tremble with excitement. He didn''t know what was happening, but one thing was certain: whatever had occurred wasn''t normal. He needed to find a way to figure out what had happened. Asking questions in public lessons might bring him more harm than good.


    "Now I can finally start cultivating the Hundred Phantom Hands and become like an immortal," he said, full of excitement.


    He picked up the Hundred Phantom Hands manual:


    "Hundred Phantom Hands" The cultivator extends their qi outward to form numerous ethereal hands, allowing them to interact with the environment beyond their physical reach.


    With these Phantom Hands, the practitioner can perform multiple actions at once, such as blocking attacks from different directions while launching counterattacks.


    The technique requires immense concentration and mastery over one''s qi, enabling precise control over each hand independently.


    First start by feeling the qi between your hands and gradually increase the distance, practice molding your qi. After that train your mind to maintain focus on multiple points simultaneously. This is crucial for controlling numerous Phantom Hands independently.


    Develop awareness of both your internal state and external environment to better manage the phantom hands during dynamic situations.


    Practice visualizing multiple objects moving independently. This mental exercise strengthens neural pathways for multitasking. Imagine threads of energy connecting your mind to each hand, allowing precise control over each one.


    Start by forming a single phantom hand, focusing on its clarity, strength, and responsiveness. Gradually increase the number of hands, ensuring you maintain control over each additional hand.


    At its peak, the cultivator can conjure a hundred Phantom Hands and use them for both offense and defense.


    Xue San meditated for only two hours before he was able to conjure one Phantom Hand. It was so much easier than when he was cultivating the Qi Compression technique; even his mind felt lighter as if something had been set free inside him.


    "Amazing!" he exclaimed as he used the Phantom Hand to throw rocks, twigs, and other objects he found on the ground.


    Then he tried using the Phantom Hand to punch a rock. To his amazement, it left a few cracks on it. "If this hits a normal person, they''d be dead in an instant." He then tried to see if he could lift the rock, and he actually could. "Hahaha, this is amazing! This rock might weigh about two caldrons." (One caldron is 50 kg/110 lb.)


    He knew that a grown, healthy man could lift up to two caldrons or maybe even more, but he was doing this without touching it¡ªlike a true immortal.


    He then experimented a bit with the Hundred Phantom Hands


    He tested how far he could use it. After some experimentation, Xue San determined that twenty feet was the maximum distance he could effectively control the Phantom Hand. Beyond that, maintaining control became more taxing, and the qi in his dantian decreased at an alarming rate. As if that weren''t enough, its power diminished by about 60% to 70% beyond the twenty-feet range.


    Xue San kept experimenting until he ran out of qi.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 13: Two-Star Mission

    Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 13: Two-Star Mission


    He then experimented a bit with the Hundred Phantom Hands


    He tested how far he could use it. After some experimentation, Xue San determined that twenty feet was the maximum distance he could effectively control the Phantom Hand. Beyond that, maintaining control became more taxing, and the qi in his dantian decreased at an alarming rate. As if that weren''t enough, its power diminished by about 60% to 70% beyond the twenty-feet range.


    Xue San kept experimenting until he ran out of qi.


    Tired but gratified, he savored some smoked meat that night and rested, Fluffy beside him¡ªthe little wolf cub''s belly full, curled up into a cozy ball. Who could have guessed that the tips he picked from his father about hunting and his mother about cooking would prove so useful to him as a cultivator?


    For the next two months, Xue San''s life settled into a routine: he meditated at dawn, trained in the Hundred Phantom Hands, then went hunting or fishing as the day waned. Fluffy now wouldn''t even leave his side.


    Once a week, he still attended public lessons.


    He had many more questions about cultivation because he didn''t know if what had happened to him was normal. So far, he hadn''t found any answers in the Qi Compression Method book.


    But during one of the public lessons, luck was finally on his side, and he actually got some answers without even having to pose any questions himself.


    He learned that those in the Initial Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm usually had a core the size of a marble; at the Middle Stage, it was twice that size, and at the Late Stage, three times the size of a marble. There were exceptions to this, but the instructor didn''t go into detail about it, and Xue San also didn''t ask about the matter.


    With this information, he was certain there was something special about him. After all, his core was much larger than what the instructor said. He didn''t know what it meant, but he was convinced it was significant, so he decided to check how much the paid lessons cost, after the class.


    He wasn''t so na?ve as to announce what had happened to him when he broke through. Even though he was new to the cultivation world, he understood that a secret wasn''t a secret once a second person knew about it. So he needed to figure it out and find answers without raising suspicions.


    But to his dismay, even the cheapest lessons started at 80 contribution points. And it wasn''t even guaranteed that his questions would be answered.


    He decided to visit the Public Library when he had some free time. He first needed to get stronger.


    Then a piece of news that shook everyone spread like wildfire within the sect.


    Long Huo, the new core disciple who was only at the 9th Stage of Qi Condensation Realm, apparently had a disagreement with an outer sect elder, which resulted in the elder issuing a challenge.


    The elder declared that if Long Huo could withstand three strikes from him, he would concede defeat, and acknowledge her position as a true core disciple. Long Huo accepted the challenge and, to everyone''s astonishment, took on the three strikes head-on and even pushed the outer sect elder back.


    Enraged and humiliated, the elder¡ªto the shock of all present¡ªdisregarded the difference in age, cultivation, and status, and went all out. His attacks were vicious, his objective clear: to kill Long Huo.


    Everyone thought that Long Huo was done for. No one expected the elder to be so shameless as to attack a core disciple with the intent to kill.


    But Long Huo actually fought the outer sect elder to a standstill while still in the Qi Condensation Realm, then an elder from the Punishment Hall arrived and apprehended that outer sect Elder, his fate unknown.


    This news shook not only the Soaring Sword Sect but the entire kingdom. Many began to say that she, Long Huo, was one of the most talented persons to appear in the last five hundred years. After all, a Qi Condensation Stage cultivator fighting a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator was as rare as a phoenix feather or a qilin horn; even among all the cultivators in the Soul Saint Kingdom, it was an extraordinarily rare event.


    But even so, the news that shook him the most was that, apparently, about two months ago, the Sect Master activated the sect protection array and mobilized a great number of disciples and elders. The official explanation was that Grandmaster Chu Feng was refining a special pill and needed protection during the concoction period.


    But Xue San thought it was too much of a coincidence that this happened right after he broke into the Qi Condensation Stage; perhaps his breakthrough wasn''t so simple. So he decided to be even more cautious.


    Xue San also gave up on his monthly pill allocation. He knew they were delivered to the residence, so the Long trio probably took them for themselves, but he didn''t care; he still had one Poor-Grade Qi Replenishing Pill and eleven Mid-Grade ones left.


    Since that day when he had the incident while cultivating, his progress had been much smoother, so he hadn''t used any of the pills he had left.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    He decided to attend one more public lesson to hear any new gossip, and then go to the Minor Dragon Hall to see if he could find a mission that suited him, so he could finally earn some extra contribution points.


    Xue San made his way to the Public Lesson Pavilion and took a seat in his usual area. The lesson today didn''t offer anything new, so he was about to leave early when a boy suddenly approached him.


    "Hello there, friend. My name is Li Shi," said a boy who appeared to be 14 or 15 years old, rather thin and with squinted eyes.


    "Yes," Xue San replied. Truth be told, aside from casual interactions when inquiring about the latest gossip or news, he didn''t socialize much; all his time was spent in the forest.


    So he was a bit wary when someone approached him first.


    "Haha, you don''t have to be wary of me, brother. Actually, I''ve seen you a few times during the public lessons, and seeing that you''re attending them, you must also be someone with no background like the rest of us. I''m part of a small group of outer sect disciples that usually team up for missions, but this time one of our members can''t come, so I thought maybe you would be interested."


    Xue San looked at him for a while and asked, "Why me?"


    "Well, to tell you the truth, you aren''t really the first one I asked, but the other people refused, so..."


    "Why?" Xue San asked


    "They are a bunch of cowards" Li Shi scoffed.


    "What kind of mission?"


    "It''s an escort mission. These kinds of missions can be really dangerous sometimes, but the rewards this time are excellent, so our captain decided to accept it. Our captain is a well-known outer sect disciple named Meng Xi." finished Li Shi with a tinge of pride in his voice, as if waiting for Xue San to be in awe.


    "Let me think about it for a while, and I''ll get back to you later," Xue San replied. He was about to leave when he turned to Li Shi and asked, "How can I contact you?"


    "If you''re interested, come by the Lecture Pavilion I will be here until the lesson finishes," Li Shi said.


    "Okay," Xue San replied.


    Xue San decided to learn more about this Meng Xi before making a decision so he decided to visit the Minor Dragon Hall.


    The Minor Dragon Hall was bustling with activity, as usual, a hive of energy with people coming and going. Disciples moved purposefully, their conversations melding into a low hum that filled the air. Xue San navigated through the crowd and approached a counter to inquire about the available missions.


    "How can I help you?" asked the female disciple behind the counter, her eyes attentive and welcoming.


    "Yes, I''d like to ask about the escort mission that a disciple named Meng Xi took," Xue San said.


    "Ah! Are you perhaps the last member to join the escort mission led by Senior Sister Meng Xi''s group?" the disciple asked excitedly.


    "Do you know her?" he inquired, noting the admiration in her voice.


    She gave him a curious look before replying, "Who doesn''t know about Senior Sister Meng Xi? She''s one of the rising stars of the outer sect¡ªjoined just two years ago and is already at the Fifth Stage of Qi Condensation. She''s also a favorite to join the inner sect." Her eyes sparkled with admiration.


    "What is the mission about?" Xue San asked, his interest piqued.


    "It''s a request from a wealthy merchant to escort him safely to Darkwood City. The sect evaluated it as a three-star mission due to the recent bandit activities in the region," she explained.


    "Three-star mission? What does that mean?" he asked, realizing he was unfamiliar with the mission ranking system.


    "Is this your first time taking a mission?" she asked a hint of surprise in her tone.


    "Yes, it is," he admitted.


    She smiled. "The sect categorizes missions according to their difficulty level¡ªthe more challenging the mission, the more stars it receives. One and two-star missions are suited for the initial stages of Qi Condensation; three and four-star missions are for the middle stages; five and six-star missions are for the late stages. The sect doesn''t assign missions higher than three stars to outer sect disciples. You can also accept more than one mission at a time, but if you fail to complete all of them, you won''t receive any rewards. However, if you succeed in completing them all, you''ll receive extra rewards¡ª15% more for completing two missions, and 20% more for completing three. You can accept up to three missions simultaneously."


    "Why does the sect encourage taking multiple missions?" Xue San asked, intrigued.


    "It''s a way to motivate the most hardworking disciples¡ªa method to encourage efficiency and dedication. It''s like killing two birds with one stone," she said with a professional smile. Her patience and thoroughness were evident as she explained everything.


    "Then, can I take a look at other missions near Darkwood City?" he asked.


    "Certainly," she replied, placing her hand over a glowing formation behind the counter. After a moment, she looked up. "There are nine three-star missions, five two-star missions, and four one-star missions near Darkwood City."


    "That''s quite a number," Xue San mused aloud. "Are there any missions related to medicinal herbs?"


    "Yes, eight of the three-star missions and one of the two-star missions involve medicinal herbs," she answered.


    "Tell me about the two-star mission," he requested. He needed contribution points, so taking on additional missions made sense.


    "It''s to search for Spirit Ginseng," she said. "A valuable herb used in alchemy."


    "I''ll take that mission as well," he decided.


    "Very well. May I have your token, please?" she asked.


    He handed over his disciple token. She placed it within the intricate patterns of the formation array, a soft glow enveloping it before she returned it to him.


    Noticing his puzzled expression, she added, "You just need to place the token against your forehead and send a strand of qi into it. The mission details will then be available to you. For now, only the two-star mission is registered. As for the escort mission, you''ll need to be here with the rest of the group to accept it together in two days."


    "Thank you," Xue San said, offering a respectful bow before turning to leave.


    Xue San informed Li Shi of his decision to join their mission. To his surprise, Li Shi beamed from ear to ear upon hearing this¡ªa reaction that Xue San found genuinely peculiar.


    Returning to his secluded spot in the forest, he settled beneath the oak tree, the dappled sunlight casting shifting patterns around him.


    He retrieved his outer sect disciple token, its surface cool and smooth in his hand. Following the girl''s instructions, he placed it against his forehead and sent a thin strand of qi into it. Immediately, a stream of information flowed into his mind.


    Danger Level: Two-Star Mission


    Issuer: Nirvana Pavilion


    Objective: Go to the Sleeping Giant Mountain outskirts, near Darkwood City. There, you will search for Spirit Ginseng. You need to find at least two.


    Dangers: The Spirit Ginseng is usually guarded by the one-eyed mole, a one-star beast.


    Rewards: 100 contribution points and 5 Low-Grade Qi Replenishing Pills.


    Xue San was awed by the amazing things cultivators could do. Even passing information directly into his mind was possible.


    He stood, the cool evening air filling his lungs. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but tonight, beneath the whispering leaves and the emerging stars, he felt ready to embrace whatever fate had in store.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 14: Public Library

    Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 14: Public Library


    Danger Level: Two-Star Mission


    Issuer: Nirvana Pavilion


    Objective: Go to the Sleeping Giant Mountain outskirts, near Darkwood City. There, you will search for Spirit Ginseng. You need to find at least two.


    Dangers: The Spirit Ginseng is usually guarded by the one-eyed mole, a one-star beast.


    Rewards: 100 contribution points and 5 Low-Grade Qi Replenishing Pills.


    Xue San was awed by the amazing things cultivators could do. Even passing information directly into his mind was possible.


    He stood, the cool evening air filling his lungs. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but tonight, beneath the whispering leaves and the emerging stars, he felt ready to embrace whatever fate had in store.


    "In two days you will have to find food for yourself again, Fluffy" Xue San said with smile on his face.


    Xue San decided to use the next two days to visit the Public Library and browse through its books, hoping to find any useful information¡ªperhaps something about his strange cultivation base.


    The Public Library for outer sect disciples was a grand building of aged timber and stone. Its exterior featured traditional curved roofs adorned with subtle carvings. Inside, rows of wooden shelves held scrolls and books containing all sort of knowledge. Soft lantern light cast a warm glow over low tables where disciples studied. The atmosphere was quiet and contemplative, fostering a sense of reverence among those who sought knowledge.


    The main door was guarded by two middle-aged men wearing black robes like the one Xue San had, except the symbol on their robes was a shield with two swords crossed over it.


    Xue San knew they were members of the Aegis Hall, specifically the outer sect branch of the Aegis Hall.


    The Aegis Hall was the main fighting force of the sect; they were in charge of its defense and led the charge when the sect went to war.


    As Xue San approached the door, one of them said, "Five contribution points for one hour. You''re allowed to browse all the books on the first and second floors. The third floor is ten contribution points to access. You are not allowed to take any books outside. If you exceed the one-hour mark, contribution points will be automatically deducted from your token until you exit, or you run out of contribution points."


    He thought for a moment. "I would like to access the first two floors, please."


    "Very well, pass your token here," the man pointed to a formation on the left side of the door.


    Xue San did as instructed, his token glowed for a moment. He stored it in his robe and stepped inside. The first floor of the Public Library was filled with rows upon rows of books and parchments. Xue San noticed a few disciples reading in silence, but they were like drops of water in a bucket compared to the vastness of the first floor.


    He decided to look for books that discussed cultivation and history. After spending thirty fruitless minutes, he found nothing useful and decided to move to the second floor. Although slightly smaller than the first, there were still plenty of books to peruse.


    As he was scanning the shelves, Xue San felt his token tremble. "Has it already been one hour?" he thought, surprised at how quickly time had passed. Ignoring the additional five contribution points that would be deducted, he continued his search.


    He had already spent twenty contribution points and was about to give up when he finally found a book that answered some of his questions. It was titled The Dance of the Ancient Ones. The author was someone named Jiang Peizhi, but what surprised Xue San was the first sentence of the book.


    "This work belongs to the famous historian and cultivator Grandmaster Ma Xiaoli. He was renowned more than a thousand years ago until one day he disappeared. This work was completed thanks to some notes that his descendants found, and using my knowledge of history, I have completed it. Unfortunately, many consider this a work of fiction and not an actual history book."


    The first part of the book, apparently compiled from Grandmaster Ma Xiaoli''s notes, told an amazing story that sounded more like legend than reality.


    It recounted how Grandmaster Ma Xiaoli explored ancient ruins that existed even before the formation of the Sleeping Giant Mountain. It was a time when cultivation was common practice when finding someone without a cultivation base was harder than finding a qilin horn or a phoenix feather.


    According to Grandmaster Ma Xiaoli''s findings, and with some additions from Jiang Peizhi, the standards of cultivation we have today were considered complete and utter trash; what we consider a standard core for the Qi Condensation Stage was something even the average person possessed.


    In those ancient times, god-like beings reigned supreme over the land. Legends whispered that they drew their immense power from primordial entities that vanished at the end of the Second Epoch¡ªor perhaps even from the elusive First Epoch, an era when humans were nothing more than prey for other races.


    Their descendants inherited superior bloodlines. It was as if they were born for a singular purpose: to cultivate. These individuals possessed unparalleled aptitude and power compared to the masses.


    Once they began their cultivation journey, nothing could stand in their way.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    "Many dismiss Grandmaster Ma Xiaoli''s accounts as mere myth," the text elaborated, "but we have documented cases of individuals awakening special powers after beginning cultivation, and even instances of people displaying extraordinary traits before they start, like the power to control beasts, having astounding physical strength, or even being able to read people''s memories. There was even a case of one person reaching the 9th stage of the Qi Condensation Realm.


    Unfortunately, none have reached the Foundation Establishment Realm. Inevitably, they all succumb to madness, becoming like true beasts.


    "However, there is a silver lining: these individuals are invaluable resources for cultivation; they can be utilized as raw material..."


    Xue San felt a chill crawl down his spine as he read these words. "What do they mean by ''used as raw material''?" he wondered. The mention of madness didn''t unsettle him¡ªhe felt no different¡ªbut the notion of being reduced to raw material made his blood run cold. He continued reading.


    "These individuals are precious resources for cultivation; they can be harvested as raw material, much like magical beasts. The Spirit Cauldron Sect has succeeded in extracting their bloodlines and using them to concoct what is known as the ''God-Birthing Pill.'' It is rumored that at least half of the core disciples of the major sects and the royal family have consumed one of these pills to enhance their talent for cultivation."


    Xue San''s whole body was drenched in cold sweat after he finished reading. Now he had the answer. Maybe he was a descendant of some powerful cultivator, and that''s why he had the core he did. But this news didn''t make him happy at all. Instead, he felt like a piece of juicy meat thrown into a pack of starving wolves.


    If before he felt like he had a cool secret that one day he could use to dazzle all those who looked down on him, now he realized that the moment he showed even the slightest signs of abnormality, not only he but his entire family might be targeted for their blood and bodies.


    He put the book back and tried to act as normal as possible, but his heart pounded so hard that it threatened to burst from his chest.


    Leaving the Public Library, he retreated to his hidden spot in the forest. He was truly frightened now, even contemplating leaving the sect, but he discarded that option immediately.


    Even if he left, there was no guarantee that someone wouldn''t discover his secret. His only option was to get stronger¡ªso strong that even if someone found out about him, no one would dare to touch him or his family.


    He had to think carefully. If what he read was true, then someone like him, coming from a humble background, wouldn''t be allowed to develop freely. Most likely, he would be used as material to concoct the God Birthing Pill.


    Even after pondering for some time, he didn''t know what to do. But one thing was certain: accepting that second mission was fortunate. He could stay out of the sect longer; who knew, maybe he could find a solution outside, or he could go into hiding and pretend he had died.


    With nothing more to do, Xue San decided to cultivate. Even after all this time, he was still only at the Second Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. But although he was anxious to become stronger, he didn''t dare to use the Mid-Grade Qi Replenishing Pills to raise his cultivation too quickly; even if he was capable of that now, the risks outweighed the benefits.


    Two days later, Xue San arrived at the Minor Dragon Hall, determined not to be late. As always, the hall was a hive of activity¡ªpeople bustling in and out, regardless of the hour.


    He hadn''t waited long before Li Shi approached him. "Hello there, Brother Xue San."


    "Brother Li Shi," Xue San replied, clasping his hands in greeting. "Sorry to keep you waiting."


    "Don''t worry, Junior Brother. We only arrived a few minutes ago ourselves. Come, let me introduce you to the rest of the party."


    "Certainly."


    Li Shi led him through the throng to meet the others.


    "Senior Sister Meng, this is the person I mentioned¡ªXue San. He accepted my invitation to join us on this mission." Li Shi wore a slightly sheepish smile as he introduced Xue San to the group.


    "Hello, everyone. I look forward to learning from you all during this mission." Xue San bowed respectfully to his fellow disciples.


    "You mean the only one who agreed to join us," one of the young men muttered under his breath.


    The group comprised two other young men besides Li Shi, and two young women.


    "Haha, pay no mind to them, Junior Brother Xue San," Li Shi said with a chuckle. "These two are Jin Xiang and Jin Daiyu¡ªthey''re brothers who joined the sect at the same time as me. This is our Junior Sister Ren Xiang. And finally, the leader of our group, the esteemed Senior Sister Meng Xi."


    "Hmph, Li Shi, that''s enough," Meng Xi interjected in a commanding tone. "Let''s get registered for the mission." She was an unassuming woman, the kind who could blend into any crowd, with shoulder-length brown hair and a slender frame. Yet her eyes were a deep, penetrating blue¡ªthe darkest hue of the sea.


    "Li Shi, are you sure about his abilities?" Jin Xiang, the elder of the two brothers, asked skeptically.


    "Big Brother, please," his younger brother admonished.


    Xue San remained unfazed; after all, he was a newcomer to their group.


    After registering for the mission, Xue San reviewed its details as they made their way to the designated meeting place.


    Danger Level: Three-Star Mission


    Issuer: Ma Wei, Head Merchant of the Blue Moon Group


    Objective: Escort Head Merchant Ma Wei to Darkwood City, nestled at the foot of Giant Sleeping Mountain. Ensure his safe and unharmed arrival.


    Dangers: Bandit activity has increased in the area, with reports of cultivators among their ranks. The highest confirmed cultivation level is the 5th stage of the Qi Condensation Stage.


    Rewards: 500 contribution points per person; one High-Grade Qi Replenishing Pill for the mission leader; two Mid-Grade Qi Replenishing Pill to each party member


    Xue San pondered the generous rewards. Are the bandit groups truly that dangerous? he mused silently.


    They walked for some time until they met Ma Wei, the Head Merchant of the Blue Moon Group.


    The Blue Moon Group was a vast merchant organization spanning the entire Soul Saint Kingdom. With branches in every major citys and towns, and partnerships with even the three great sects, it was no wonder that escorting Ma Wei came with such lucrative rewards. The position of Head Merchant was equivalent to that of an Inner Sect Elder¡ªa testament to his influence.


    Ma Wei was a rotund man in his early forties, his girth accentuated by opulent blue robes crafted from the finest materials. The sleeves were exquisitely embroidered with the lunar phases, from new moon to full moon¡ªa symbol of his status in the Blue Moon Group..


    "Hahaha! Friends from the Sword Soaring Sect, I am honored to be in your capable hands for this journey," Ma Wei boomed, his double chin wobbling as he beamed at them.


    "Sir Ma Wei, I am Meng Xi, and I will be overseeing your safe passage to Darkwood City," Meng Xi replied, clasping her hands respectfully.


    "Excellent, excellent! I''ve heard much about Lady Meng Xi¡ªone of the outer sect''s rising stars."


    After exchanging pleasantries, Ma Wei continued, "I''ve arranged for three additional carriages for your use during the journey. There are a total of twenty people traveling with me this time, including my five personal guards. We can depart immediately."


    "Understood." Meng Xi turned to her team. "Jin Xiang and Jin Daiyu, you''ll take one carriage. Ren Xiang and I will take another. Li Shi and Xue San, you''ll share the last. When we make camp, we''ll patrol in pairs at night. Is that clear?" Her voice brooked no dissent.


    "Yes!" they responded in unison.


    Xue San did not yet realize that this mission would become a pivotal turning point in his life as a cultivator. In the years to come, he would ponder whether he might have achieved his current standing had he not undertaken this crucial task today.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 15: Is This How I Die?

    Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 15: Is This How I Die?


    After exchanging pleasantries, Ma Wei continued, "I''ve arranged for three additional carriages for your use during the journey. There are a total of twenty people traveling with me this time, including my five personal guards. We can depart immediately."


    "Understood." Meng Xi turned to her team. "Jin Xiang and Jin Daiyu, you''ll take one carriage. Ren Xiang and I will take another. Li Shi and Xue San, you''ll share the last. When we make camp, we''ll patrol in pairs at night. Is that clear?" Her voice brooked no dissent.


    "Yes!" they responded in unison.


    Xue San didn''t know yet, but this mission would become a pivotal turning point in his life as a cultivator. In the years to come, he would ponder whether he might have achieved his current standing had he not undertaken this crucial task today.


    If everything went smoothly, the journey from the Soaring Sword Sect to the Darkwood City would take them about four weeks by carriage.


    The first three weeks of the journey passed smoothly. During this time, Xue San didn''t dare to cultivate near Li Shi, so he focused on meditating on the Hundred QiHands. Thanks to his hard work, he could now conjure two Qi hands.


    But when he attempted to manifest a third, he hit an impassable wall. It felt as if he were delving into realms beyond his current capabilities. The path ahead twisted and tangled; up became down, forward became backward. He felt disoriented, as though lost in a labyrinth of his own making. It was an utterly confounding sensation.


    As if that weren''t enough, Li Shi was a chatterbox who wouldn''t shut up for a moment, and the topics he droned on about held no importance to Xue San.


    One night, as the group sat around the bonfire talking, Xue San decided to voice a question that had been on his mind for days.


    "Senior Sister Meng Xi," he began, "I was wondering¡ªwith a mission offering such great rewards, why did you have such difficulty finding people to join you?"


    He wasn''t sure, but he thought he saw a flicker of coldness in everyone''s eyes after he spoke.


    Silence hung in the air for a moment. Then Li Shi began to speak. "You see¡ª"


    "Li Shi!" the Jin brothers interrupted in unison.


    Stunned by their sudden reaction, Xue San began to feel nervous. He heard Meng Xi sigh.


    "It''s because of me," she said. "As you know, I am at the top of the outer sect. When I choose a mission, few would dare to challenge me for it. The truth is my¡ª"


    BANG! Meng Xi couldn''t finish her sentence before she unsheathed her sword and shouted, "Who is there?" Everyone was startled but reacted instantly, rising and readying themselves for battle.


    Xue San was the only one unprepared for such situations. After all, the minor scuffles he''d had with village boys couldn''t be counted as fighting. But Meng Xi already knew he had zero combat experience.


    "Xue San, go stand next to Sir Ma Wei and make sure no one gets close to him, understood?"


    "Y... Yes." He wanted to sound confident, but his voice faltered.


    Ma Wei was surrounded by his guards. The others who accompanied them hid inside the carriages, praying they''d survive.


    A band of bandits emerged, from the dark forest, wielding all manner of weapons.


    "Quite the sharp little lass you are. Well, it doesn''t matter¡ªI prefer it this way," cackled a burly man who looked more like a bear than a human. "Leave all your belongings and the women behind, and scram!" bellowed the bear-like man, brandishing a massive axe.


    "We are disciples of the Soaring Sword Sect! If you leave now, we''ll overlook this transgression!" Meng Xi shouted back. Though she projected confidence, fear gnawed at her insides. She recognized this group¡ªthe infamous Savage Beasts Bandit Group¡ªand their leader known as Bear-Axe, notorious among outer sect disciples.


    They had earned their name through their savagery; they always left their victims'' bodies as if beasts had feasted upon them. To make matters worse, Bear-Axe was at the sixth stage of the Qi Condensation. In contrast, Meng Xi was the only one among her group at that level.


    The rest of her comrades¡ªthe Jin brothers and Ren Xiang¡ªwere at the fourth stage. Li Shi was at the fifth, and Xue San was only at the second.


    "Hahaha! Don''t worry, little lass¡ªI''ll enjoy your company first," Bear-Axe sneered. "And don''t try to scare me with your sect. We know that even if we kill you all, they won''t avenge you if you die on a mission," he added, a predatory grin spreading across his face.


    Assessing the dire situation, Meng Xi whispered urgently to her comrades, "There are thirty of them in total. Excluding the leader, they have ten cultivators¡ªtwo at the fourth stage, four at the third, and another four at the second stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. Li Shi, can you handle the two at the fourth stage alone?"


    "Yes!" Li Shi responded resolutely.


    "Good. The rest of you, take care of the others. You''re all disciples of a great sect, so hold them back as long as you can. After I finish with the leader, I''ll help you."This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "What about the others?" asked Ren Xiang.


    "They''re mortals, so Xue San should be able to handle them. And we still have Sir Ma Wei''s guards; if I''m not mistaken, they should also be cultivators."


    This entire exchange might seem lengthy, but it transpired in an instant.


    "Charge!" Bear-Axe roared.


    Xue San was at a loss; he didn''t know what to do. Yes, he was a cultivator now, but he''d never learned how to fight. Coming from a remote, peaceful village, the sight of bloodshed unnerved him. Yet despite his fear, he obeyed and moved to protect Ma Wei.


    The battle splintered into three fronts. Meng Xi faced off against Bear-Axe; Li Shi engaged two other bandits at the 4th Stage; and the Jin brothers, alongside Ren Xiang, confronted the rest of the bandits at the 3rd and 2nd Stages of the Qi Condensation Realm.


    The fight involving the Jin brothers and Ren Xiang seemed the most intense. They moved as one, forming a formation that allowed them to attack and defend from every angle. Their seamless coordination spoke of long hours of practice.


    The bandits assailed them with all sorts of weapons like bows and spears. Yet the trio held their ground. It was apparent that, in terms of techniques and cultivation, they surpassed the bandits.


    But what surprised Xue San even more was Li Shi. That chatterbox was remarkably skilled; he was actually pushing back two opponents at the 4th Stage.


    Xue San recognized the martial art technique Li Shi was using. He had seen it while choosing a technique for himself in the Scripture Pavilion. It was called the "Dragonfly Sword Art," focusing on extremely fast and precise attacks. The technique was divided into three parts, and the outer sect only had access to the first. So Xue San gave up on it.


    But seeing it in action left him astonished. Li Shi''s sword moved so swiftly that Xue San only saw afterimages; it was as if the bandits were fighting three opponents instead of one.


    "Arghhh!" A piercing scream cut through the battlefield. One of the bandits fighting Li Shi had just lost an arm.


    Seizing the opportunity, Li Shi pressed forward, his attacks accelerating. In a blur of motion, the bandit who had lost his arm was decapitated.


    Now facing a single opponent, the remaining bandit panicked. "Captain, hel¡ª" He couldn''t finish before Li Shi seemed to teleport behind him, and then his head separated from his body.


    Bear-Axe didn''t seem to care about losing his comrades; he continued his relentless assault on Meng Xi.


    "Hahaha, little lass, come here and let me show you what a real man is like," Bear-Axe taunted, a wide grin splitting his brutish face.


    Meng Xi unsheathed her sword and charged. She knew that the longer the fight dragged on, the slimmer their chances of survival became.


    Bear-Axe employed a strange technique that enveloped his entire body in a green aura. He swung his massive axe with reckless abandon, seemingly unconcerned with defense.


    Meng Xi, meanwhile, wielded her sword enveloped in a soft blue glow, moving nimbly and gracefully like a feather dancing in the wind, dodging Bear-Axe''s powerful swings.


    Her technique was mesmerizing; her sword flowed like water, landing precise strikes. But her attacks only left shallow scratches on Bear-Axe''s skin.


    "Hahaha! Little lass, I enjoy opponents like you the most. When I''m done with you¡ª"


    Before he could finish, Li Shi appeared behind him in a blur, his sword slicing so swiftly that Xue San saw only a flash as Li Shi attempted to decapitate the bandit leader.


    Suddenly, the green aura around Bear-Axe intensified. Li Shi''s blade inflicted only a superficial wound. Everyone was stunned by this development¡ªexcept the bandits.


    Seizing the moment when Li Shi was off-balance, Bear-Axe swung his massive fist, striking Li Shi squarely in the chest.


    Li Shi was sent hurtling through the air like a rag doll, crashing into a distant tree. His fate was uncertain.


    "Im... impossible! He''s just some bandit with no background, how can he be so powerful" Meng Xi gasped, horror etched on her face. This level of power was unheard of for someone at the 6th Stage.


    "Now that the little bug is dealt with, we can continue our game, little lass," the bandit leader sneered, his eyes gleaming with malicious delight.


    Meanwhile, the other outer sect disciples were struggling. Despite their superior cultivation, the bandits'' sheer numbers were overwhelming them. Their bodies were already full of injuries.


    Then the mortal bandits began advancing in Xue San''s direction, ready to attack, but the guards around Ma Wei did not seem to care.


    Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed one of the bandits breaking away from the main fight, heading toward the area where the women and children were hiding.


    Without thinking, Xue San sprinted toward the bandit. Ma Wei didn''t seem to care that Xue San left his side.


    Sensing someone approaching, the bandit turned to see a young man charging at him. Narrowing his eyes, he hurled two daggers toward Xue San.


    Startled, Xue San instinctively summoned the Hundred Qi Hands. The daggers veered off course, deflected as if by an invisible force. Before the bandit could react, Xue San was upon him.


    The bandit felt as if a boulder had slammed into him. The air was driven from his lungs as he was lifted off his feet, sailing several feet before crashing to the ground. His ribs shattered, lungs punctured¡ªhe died moments later, never comprehending what had struck him.


    Xue San barely had time to process what he''d done when a scream tore through the air¡ªfrom Meng Xi''s direction.


    He turned to see her hand mangled and bleeding, her sword shattered. The bear-like bandit leader was closing in on her.


    "Yes, yes, that''s the spirit," the bandit leader grinned, his face alight with twisted excitement.


    "No... no! Get away from me!" Meng Xi cried out, desperation in her voice.


    "The more you resist, the more enjoyable this becomes," he taunted, advancing step by step.


    "Stop!" Xue San shouted, rushing to her side.


    Bear-Axe glanced over to see a youth of fourteen or fifteen charging toward him.


    "Hmph, another bug to squash," he sneered, his grin widening, eyes gleaming with twisted pleasure at all the bloodshed.


    As Xue San came within twenty feet, he used the Hundred Qi Hands and attacked with all his might. But to his horror, Bear-Axe used his fist to simply punch against his attack.


    His fist was enveloped in that eerie green aura, it collided with Xue San''s attack.


    A thunderous bang resounded as Xue San''s Qi Hand was shattered into tiny fragments.


    A sharp pain stabbed through his head, momentarily disrupting Xue San focus. In that split second, Bear-Axe moved with a speed that didn''t match his massive frame.


    He closed the distance before anyone could react and delivered a brutal strike to Xue San''s chest. Xue San was nearly cleaved in two; he only survived because the axe had blunt edges. Even so, his chest was torn open, a gruesome wound gaping. Anyone witnessing this would be horrified by the severity of his injuries; Meng Xi was certain Xue San was dead.


    He lay on the ground, his chest ravaged. Agony exploded within him; the pain was beyond comprehension. He wanted to scream, to cry out, but he couldn''t even breathe.


    "Is this how I die?" he wondered, despair creeping in, tears mingling with blood. He didn''t want to die; he didn''t want to feel this pain. He was scared.


    Just as darkness threatened to overtake him, a sudden heat surged through his veins. His blood felt like liquid fire, boiling within. The pain in his chest began to fade, then...


    "RAAAHHHHHH!!!" Xue San let out a scream that sounded more beast than human. He didn''t know why, but at that moment, his fear was replaced by an overwhelming, untamable rage. Something primal was awakening within him.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 16: Killing Bear-Axe

    Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 16: Killing Bear-Axe


    "Is this how I die?" he wondered, despair creeping in, tears mingling with blood. He didn''t want to die; he didn''t want to feel this pain. He was scared.


    Just as darkness threatened to overtake him, a sudden heat surged through his veins. His blood felt like liquid fire, boiling within. The pain in his chest began to fade, then...


    "RAAAHHHHHH!!!" Xue San let out a scream that sounded more beast than human. He didn''t know why, but at that moment, his fear was replaced by an overwhelming, untamable rage. Something primal was awakening within him.


    His cry echoed across the battleground, a chilling sound that made every soul shudder with primal fear. Even the bear-like man felt a tremor run through him. Realizing something was gravely amiss, he tightened his grip on his axe and charged toward Xue San, determined to finish the job this time.


    With both hands, Blood-Axe swung his massive weapon at Xue San with all his might, the aura around him so intense it was nearly blinding. This attack, he was certain, would crush Xue San into a mere smear of flesh.


    Meng Xi watched in horror; such overwhelming power was something she had witnessed only from the strongest inner sect disciples during competitions. How could a mere bandit possess such might?


    The axe descended upon Xue San with terrifying force. But at that moment, Xue San opened his eyes¡ªthey blazed with an intense golden light, resembling a serpent''s eyes more than a human''s. Yet only Blood-Axe bore witness to this transformation.


    Summoning the Hundred Phantom Hands, Xue San parried the axe. A thunderous boom resounded as Blood-Axe stumbled back a few steps, his hands trembling from the impact.


    Horror etched itself across Blood-Axe''s face¡ªnot because his attack had been parried, but because he saw Xue San''s wound, which should have been fatal, regenerate before his eyes. And then, as if nothing had happened, Xue San stood upright once more.


    In all his years as a bandit, Blood-Axe had faced countless dangers; he always knew when it was time to retreat.


    "Something is wrong." Though he appeared a simple brute, Blood-Axe was anything but; he was cunning, always choosing his battles wisely. Now, he sensed that something was profoundly wrong with the youth before him. Retreat was the wisest course.


    Meanwhile, Xue San rose to his feet, the golden glow in his eyes fading. He just stood there, he seemed to be both present and absent, as if another version of himself had taken his place¡ªa state that was hard description.


    All fear vanished, and his hesitation to kill was erased. He locked eyes with Blood-Axe, who was preparing to flee and dashed toward him. At that moment, Xue San exuded the aura of an ancient beast hunting its prey.


    Seeing this transformation, Blood-Axe snorted and decided to unleash one final attack before escaping. He rapidly channeled his Qi into the axe, which began to emit an intense, blinding green light.


    With all his might, Blood-Axe hurled the axe at the advancing Xue San and bolted into the forest. He was certain that this attack would buy him the distance he needed to escape.


    As the axe hurtled toward him, Xue San invoked the Hundred Phantom Hands once more. He summoned one hand, then another, and then a third phantom hand materialized. He parried the incoming axe¡ªa deafening explosion erupted as the axe shattered into countless fragments.


    Those witnessing the exchange heard a colossal bang that nearly burst their eardrums.


    Ignoring everyone else, Xue San sprinted after Blood-Axe.


    "No!" Meng Xi shouted, trying in vain to stop him.


    Seeing their leader flee, some of the bandits panicked and began to scatter¡ªa fortunate decision, as the pressure on the Jin brothers and Ren Xiang had reached a critical point.


    Ren Xiang had already lost an arm, and Jin Daiyu''s body was riddled with wounds; it was a miracle he could still stand. Only Jin Xiang fared slightly better, his injuries less severe than those of his comrades.


    Meng Xi hesitated for a moment but then rushed to aid the others instead of pursuing Xue San. "Let''s finish off these scum as quickly as possible!" she shouted, dashing toward her fellow disciples. "Please be safe," she prayed silently, her voice tinged with a hint of guilt.


    Meanwhile, Blood-Axe fled at his utmost speed. "Damn it, damn it, who is that little wretch? There wasn''t any mention of him in the briefing. I swear, when I get the chance, I''ll make him pay. I''ve lost two of my best men and won''t even get the rest of the rewards. Hmph, I''ll find out everything about that little bastard and make sure everyone dear to him suffers until they beg for death, and then I''ll make him watch as I take his mo¡ª"


    But before he could finish, a voice¡ªcold and emotionless yet seething with intense madness, rage, and ruthlessness¡ªsounded behind him. "Ending your meaningless and filthy life would mean even less to me than crushing a bug."


    All the blood drained from Blood-Axe''s face upon hearing that voice; he felt an overwhelming sense of impending doom.


    "AHHHHHHH!" he screamed, his body once again enveloped by the green light. Then¡ªBOOM. From both sides, two giant phantom hands closed in to crush him.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Hmph, do you think this is enough to kill me, you¡ª"


    But before he could finish, a third hand struck him from the front, yet even this wasn''t enough to penetrate his defenses.


    "Hahaha, just give up. I can see you''re almost spent," Blood-Axe shouted with a twisted grin, already envisioning the horrible things he would do to Xue San.


    It was true; even though Xue San''s core was larger than normal and the energy within it denser, he was still at the second stage of the Qi Condensation Realm.


    But in the next moment, Blood-Axe''s expression froze; a powerful force struck him from behind¡ªit was a fourth hand. In that brief instant, Xue San had managed to conjure yet another phantom hand.


    Pressed from all sides, Blood-Axe felt like a turtle trapped in a jar. His only hope was that Xue San would exhaust his Qi before he did.


    Xue San began walking toward the immobilized man, his face pale, blood leaking from his eyes, ears, and mouth. His dark eyes were devoid of emotion¡ªsave perhaps for flickers of rage and madness lurking deep within.


    "I told you," he said coldly. He lifted his open palm, then clenched it into a fist. "Easier than crushing a bug." Then¡ªbang. Blood-Axe was obliterated like an insect, his bones, blood, and flesh scattering in all directions.


    After dispatching Blood-Axe, Xue San felt as empty as a dry well. He tried to remain standing but eventually collapsed beside the mangled remains of what once was Blood-Axe.


    He couldn''t keep his eyes open; his mind was already slipping into unconsciousness. Then, a golden light emerged from his body. Within that golden light was a blurry figure. It enveloped Blood-Axe''s corpse for a moment and then returned to Xue San''s body.


    But Xue San was unaware of this.


    Xue San opened his eyes to the sight of the carriage ceiling looming above him. His entire body felt as though it had been trampled; there wasn''t a single part that didn''t ache.


    "You''re finally awake?" Meng Xi sat opposite him.


    "What happened?" he asked.


    "After you went to chase Bear-Axe, I helped the others finish off the remaining bandits, and then I followed after you." She hesitated before continuing. "I found you unconscious next to what I assume were the remains of Bear-Axe."


    "I see." Xue San didn''t quite know how to react. He had taken a life¡ªeven if it was that of a villain who probably deserved it, he had still killed someone. Strangely, he felt no guilt, shame, or disgust. It was odd that he didn''t experience any of those feelings after killing someone. He didn''t understand what was happening to him, and he had no one to turn to for advice. And what was that strange sensation he felt¡ªthat rage, that madness...?


    "...e San."


    Meng Xi''s voice pulled him from his thoughts.


    "Yes?"


    "I need to tell you something."


    Xue San sat up and lifted his head, his dark eyes fixated on Meng Xi.


    "Have you heard the recent news about how the new core disciple, Long Huo, fighting an outer sect elder?"


    "Yes."


    "The elder in question is my grandfather."


    Her words stunned him momentarily.


    Meng Xi continued. "Actually, for me, this mission wasn''t about escorting Ma Wei, but about you."


    "What do you mean?"


    "Well, I come from a small clan within the Soaring Sword Sect. There are many clans like mine¡ªusually formed when descendants split from main branches or when clans fail to produce powerful heirs over time and their clans tend to decline. My Meng clan is the latter; we couldn''t produce strong descendants and gradually lost our power and influence. Then came my grandfather; he was quite talented and managed to rise through the ranks to become an outer sect elder."


    "What does any of this have to do with me?" Xue San interrupted.


    "I''m getting there. In order to raise our clan once again, my grandfather aligned himself with a core disciple from a powerful and influential family within the sect¡ªthe Fang clan. His name is Fang Wei."


    Xue San was surprised to hear about the Fang clan again. "Is that the same clan as Senior Brother Fang Ma?" he asked.


    "Yes. Before the mission, I was allowed to see my grandfather. He told me that he was ordered by Fang Ma to attack and kill Long Huo, even at the cost of his own life, and if he succeeded, Fang Ma promised to take care of our clan. But he failed, so Fang Ma cut all ties with us."


    "I understand what you''re going through, but you still haven''t told me what any of this has to do with me," Xue San said again, though he had a vague feeling about what she was implying.


    "Having been abandoned by Fang Ma and having offended Long Huo, our clan was finished. But then a member of the Long clan contacted me and said that as long as I did them a favor, Long Huo wouldn''t pursue the matter. The favor was to kill you."


    Xue San wasn''t surprised by her words; in fact, now all the strange things about this mission made sense.


    , why they didn''t care that his cultivation was lower than theirs and that he had no combat experience whatsoever.


    "So why didn''t you do it?" he asked, his voice cold. He didn''t care why someone as high-ranking as Long Huo wanted him dead; now, he only wanted to know why Meng Xi hadn''t finished him off when she had the chance.


    "Because of this."


    She tossed a jade to him.


    "What is it?"


    "When you engaged Bear-Axe, some fabric from his robes tore and this fell out¡ªit''s a message jade."


    Xue San just looked at her.


    "There was just a single sentence" said Meng Xi with a bitter smile "Kill Meng Xi!"


    He looked up, waiting for her to elaborate.


    "I''m not entirely sure who sent it, but it was either Long Huo or Fang Ma. In any case, if it weren''t for you, I''d be dead already. I still have some pride," she said, her voice tainted with shame.


    "What about the others?" seeing her like this, he decided to change the subject.


    Meng Xi face fell. "Li Shi and Jin Daiyu both died, and Ren Xiang is now a cripple. Only Jin Xiang managed to make it out with minor injuries."


    "So what now?" Xue San asked.


    Meng Xi was momentarily at a loss for words. Then she said, "We''ll finish our mission and go our separate ways." She stood up and was about to leave the carriage but turned back. "I know it''s not my place to say anything after what I was going to do, but you should be careful. If Long Huo wants you dead, there are many people who would be happy to have a core disciple owe them a favor." then she left.


    Left alone in the carriage, Xue San tried to piece together what had happened. Suddenly, a splitting pain shot through his head, nearly causing him to lose consciousness again. He gritted his teeth and endured it, and then, just as abruptly, the pain vanished as if it had never been there.


    "What the hell was that?" he wondered. He felt as though his mind was lighter, his thoughts clearer and faster than before. "What is this strange feeling?"


    Closing his eyes, he tried to sense what was different. To his amazement, everything within a hundred feet became visible to him. He saw people still being treated, guards going about their duties, and even Meng Xi as she left the carriage.


    Engrossed in this astonishing sensation, he forgot about everything else. But after a while, he started to feel his mind growing tired as if he hadn''t slept for an entire day.


    But that wasn''t all; there was also a fragment of memory in his mind that he was certain didn''t belong to him: a cave near Darkwood City, and inside that cave was something extremely precious. But when he tried to "remember" what it was, he couldn''t.


    Xue San was astonished by this sudden development, but with no one to turn to for answers, he decided to figure it out latter


    "I can''t keep going like this. I need to get strong enough to protect myself. And that feeling... that rage..." Xue San''s thoughts drifted to the book he had read about how people like him lost control and became more beast than human. But he couldn''t do anything about it now, so, like any youth his age, he pushed it to the back of his mind, deciding to ignore it for now.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 17: Was I Just Cheated Into Staying Here?

    Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 17: Was I Just Cheated Into Staying Here?


    Xue San was astonished by this sudden development, but with no one to turn to for answers, he decided to figure it out latter


    "I can''t keep going like this. I need to get strong enough to protect myself. And that feeling... that rage..." Xue San''s thoughts drifted to the book he had read about how people like him lost control and became more beast than human. But he couldn''t do anything about it now, so, like any youth his age, he pushed it to the back of his mind, deciding to ignore it for now.


    The remainder of the journey passed without incident, and at long last, they arrived at Darkwood City.


    Nestled at the base of Sleeping Giant Mountain, Darkwood City was a bustling enclave teeming with life. Renowned for its abundance of magical plants, the city drew cultivators from all corners of the kingdom. Its most prized export was darkwood¡ªa rare, mystical timber essential for crafting flying vessels and countless other magical artifacts. The air was suffused with the scent of enchanted herbs and freshly hewn darkwood, creating an atmosphere ripe with adventure and possibility.


    They passed through the checkpoint with ease. Once inside, Ma Wei expressed his gratitude and his regret over the lost members, and then they parted ways.


    "So, what will you do now?" Xue San asked Meng Xi.


    "We''ll be staying here for a while before returning to the sect," she replied. "We''re going to try our luck at the medicine shops and the auction houses to see if we can find some medicinal pills to help Ren Xiang. You''re welcome to join us if you like."


    "No, I still have another mission to complete," Xue San said, his tone growing a bit colder without him even realizing it.


    And who could blame him? Even though Meng Xi hadn''t gone through with her plan to kill him, she would have done it if it hadn''t been for the bandit attack and the subsequent chain of events.


    Meng Xi smiled bitterly. "Well, I wish you luck. Oh, and here, take this." She tossed a small bag to him.


    "What is it?" Xue San asked.


    "I know this is nothing compared to the favor we owe you, but consider it a small compensation. If it weren''t for you, we might not have survived." Then Meng Xi turned and left with the others.


    Xue San briefly peeked inside the bag; there appeared to be a few bottles containing pills and some money. He closed the bag and began searching for a place to stay.


    Suddenly, Xue San spun around and caught a small hand reaching for his bag.


    "Ahhh!" came a startled yelp.


    "What do you think you are doing?" he demanded.


    It was a small boy. By his tattered attire, he looked like he lived in the slums; his face was smeared with dirt, his hair unkempt, and he emitted a nauseating odor.


    "Please, Mister, I was just too hungry. I promise I won''t do it again; I was just too hungry," the little boy pleaded.


    Xue San looked him up and down. "I will give you two silver coins if you show me around the city."


    The boy''s eyes lit up. "Yes, Mister, of course! What would you like to see first, Mister? The medicinal shops, the auction house, or maybe the red district?" he asked with a grin that seemed out of place on someone his age.


    "Show me a place where I can rest and have some food."


    "Of course, Mister. Would you like to go to a place for cultivators or mortals?" the boy inquired.


    "There are places only for cultivators?" Xue San asked, surprised.


    "Yes! The inns for cultivators are amazing. They even have formations in each room so that you aren''t disturbed during cultivation. They also have cultivators guarding the place. The big clans of Darkwood City usually run these inns, but the prices are very high.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    "Take me to the inns for cultivators," Xue San decided.


    After walking for some time, the boy led Xue San to a three-story building. To be honest, compared to the other inns he had seen along the way, this one didn''t seem to be among the best, but he followed the boy inside nonetheless.


    The first floor of the inn featured a guest area and a reception desk; adjacent to it was what appeared to be a restaurant.


    "Hello, Sir, how can I help you?" a middle-aged man behind the counter greeted him.


    "How much is a room?" Xue San asked.


    "For the regular rooms, it''s 60 gold coins a day. If you wish, we also have our VIP room; it costs one Low-Grade Qi Replenishing Pill or materials of equivalent value. All our rooms include one meal a day."


    Xue San was briefly stunned by the exorbitant price. He was no longer the naive youth he once was; he understood the value of money now, and 60 gold coins was an outrageous sum. Even so, he decided to pay. He needed a safe place to rest and contemplate his next move.


    He fished the gold coins from the bag Meng Xi had given him and paid the man. He didn''t forget about the little boy; he took out two silver coins and handed them to him.


    "Here you go, Sir. Your room is on the second floor, room 212. This token opens the door," the man said, handing him a token etched with the number 212.


    As Xue San ascended the stairs, he decided to survey the inn using that strange power he had acquired. Concentrating, everything within the inn became visible to him, except for some of the rooms; they seemed shrouded in a kind of fog.


    But what surprised him the most was the sight of the middle-aged man behind the counter smiling and tossing a silver coin to the little boy.


    "Was I just cheated into staying here?" Xue San thought to himself. "There are still many things I have to learn, apparently," he mused bitterly.


    Back in his room, Xue San activated the formation using the key, sealing himself within its protective aura. He sat on the bed and emptied the contents of the bag. Ignoring the money for now, his gaze settled on the bottles of pills.


    There were five bottles, but only two types of pills. One he recognized immediately¡ªthe Qi Replenishing Pill. The other was unfamiliar.


    But Meng Xi predicted that Xue San might not know what it was, so she left a description on one of the bottles, these were Fasting Pills, used to replenish nutrients and serve as a substitute for food during long meditation sessions. One pill was enough to forgo food for two days, even mortals could consume them safely.


    There was one bottle containing ten Poor-Grade Qi Replenishing Pills, another with five Low-Grade Qi Replenishing Pills, and the rest contained Fasting Pills, each bottle holding six pills each, whose quality he couldn''t ascertain.


    As for the gold coins, after paying for the room, he still had twenty gold coins, along with two gold banknotes issued by the kingdom, each worth 500 gold coins.


    From Jin Fu, Xue San had learned that the best way to carry wealth was through these banknotes or even a jade card, which could be used to withdraw funds when needed or to make large transactions.


    Most of the major clans used only notes and cards for their dealings.


    Xue San was astonished at his newfound wealth. He had a total of 1,020 gold coins, plus some silver ones, 11 Poor-Grade Qi Replenishing Pills, 5 Low-Grade pills, and 11 Mid-Grade ones. There were also the 18 Fasting Pills, though he wasn''t certain of their quality.


    He decided that tomorrow he would visit the medicine shops in Darkwood City to see if he could find out about it.


    -----------------------


    In a dimly lit chamber, Ma Wei knelt on one knee. Before him loomed a figure seemingly woven from shadows.


    "So, you believe these two could be useful to us?" the shadowy figure inquired.


    "Yes, Master Shadow. I have witnessed their skills, especially that of the youth named Xue San. I believe they have the potential to become prominent members of the Soaring Sword Sect in the future. It would be prudent to invest in them now and bring them in as Surface Level members," Ma Wei responded confidently.


    "Very well. Investigate their backgrounds thoroughly. If nothing is amiss, you may extend an invitation, if they prove useful, you will also get your compensation" the shadowy figure decreed.


    "Yes, thank you, Sir," Ma Wei replied, bowing deeply.


    ----------------------------


    The next morning, Xue San awoke feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Despite appearances, he hadn''t truly rested during the journey; lingering doubts about Meng Xi and the others had weighed heavily on him, making the trip exceedingly taxing.


    After a hearty breakfast, he decided to explore the city.


    Stepping outside the inn, he noticed the little boy from before lingering nearby, as if waiting for someone. Upon spotting Xue San, the boy''s eyes lit up, and he hurried over.


    "Good morning, Mister! Do you need a guide for today too?" he asked eagerly.


    "Yes. But instead of taking me to the places you''re paid to steer me toward, how about showing me the best ones? And instead of two silver coins, I''ll give you two gold ones," Xue San proposed.


    The boy''s eyes widened in disbelief. "Are... are you serious? Two gold coins?"


    "Yes," Xue San affirmed.


    "Then what would you like to see first?"


    "Medicinal shops."


    "Yes! If you want the best one, then it has to be the Azure Cloud Alchemy Pavilion. It''s run by the City Governor, a member of the Ling Royal Clan. There''s also the shop owned by the Bluemoon Merchant Guild, but I think the Azure Cloud Alchemy Pavilion is superior."


    "Lead the way," said Xue San.


    They walked for about twenty minutes before arriving at their destination.


    The Azure Cloud Alchemy Pavilion was a magnificent three-story structure crafted from gleaming white stone. Its sweeping, curved roofs were adorned with azure tiles that mirrored flowing clouds. Intricate carvings of mythical creatures and swirling vapors embellished the wooden pillars and doorways. Large crystal windows displayed shelves lined with rare herbs and pills, casting a soft, ethereal light onto the bustling street. A grand double-door entrance beckoned customers into its serene, fragrant interior.


    "I''ll wait for you outside, Sir. You can go in," the boy said.


    "You''re not coming?" Xue San asked.


    "People like me aren''t allowed in places like this," he replied quietly.


    Xue San paused for a moment, contemplating, but then nodded and entered.


    As he stepped inside, his senses were immediately enveloped by a delicate yet potent blend of aromas from the myriad plants and pills.


    Before he could fully take in his surroundings, a female attendant approached him.


    "Good morning, Sir. How may I assist you?" she asked, her smile professional yet warm.


    "Oh, nothing in particular. I''m just browsing," Xue San replied.


    "Of course. If you need anything, please don''t hesitate to ask."


    He wandered among the displays, examining the various plants. He recognized all of them, realizing they weren''t particularly rare. Unfortunately, while he knew the herbs, he lacked any recipes or knowledge of pill concoction.


    Moving to the pills section, Xue San found himself astounded¡ªnot just by the variety of pills but also by their prices.


    There was the Fair Complexion Pill, designed to maintain one''s youthful appearance, priced at 200 gold coins, and the Mindstream Pill, used to keep one''s mind calm and focused during critical moments like meditation or pill concoction, costing 350 gold coins¡ªall of them Poor-Grade.


    He noted the Fasting Pill priced at 30 gold coins and the Qi Replenishing Pill at 50 gold coins. But unlike the others, these two pills were available up to the Mid-Grade.


    A Low-Grade Fasting Pill was priced at 90 gold coins, while a Mid-Grade one soared to 240 gold coins. As for the Qi Replenishing Pill, a Low-Grade version was 150 gold coins, and a Mid-Grade cost was a staggering 400 gold coins.


    Taking this opportunity, Xue San compared the Fasting Pills on display with those he had. After some time he concluded that those in his possession were Low-Grade. The ones displayed were a tad bigger and their color was also a little washed, compared to his¡ªa discovery that pleased him greatly.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 18: Cultivation Is So Expensive

    A Low-Grade Fasting Pill was priced at 90 gold coins, while a Mid-Grade one soared to 240 gold coins. As for the Qi Replenishing Pill, a Low-Grade version was 150 gold coins, and a Mid-Grade cost was a staggering 400 gold coins.


    Taking this opportunity, Xue San compared the Fasting Pills on display with those he had. After some time he concluded that those in his possession were Low-Grade. The ones displayed were a tad bigger and their color was also a little washed, compared to his¡ªa discovery that pleased him greatly.


    After browsing through everything, Xue San decided to go to the second floor. He was about to go up when the girl from before came and stopped him.


    "I''m sorry, sir, but the second floor is only for VIP customers who had spent at least 100,000 gold coins."


    Hearing her words, Xue San thought his jaw was going to hit the floor. That was an unimaginable amount for someone like him. People had to spend this absurd amount of money so they could go and spend even more?


    At that moment, Xue San heard some laughter coming from the stairs. A group of youths between 14 and 18 years old was coming down, all surrounding a beautiful girl.


    The young woman exuded an ethereal beauty that seemed almost otherworldly. Her long, flowing hair was a vivid shade of green, cascading down her back like a river of emerald silk. It framed a face of delicate features: high cheekbones, a slender nose, and lips that curved into a smile.


    Her deep jade eyes held a chilling aloofness that unsettled anyone who met her gaze. She carried herself with an innate sense of superiority, an air of detachment woven into her very being since birth.


    She wore robes that flowed gracefully around her slender form. The garments were a soft blend of silvers and greens, embroidered with intricate patterns of vines and leaves that seemed to shimmer subtly as she moved. The sleeves were long and billowy, and a delicate silver sash cinched at her waist, accentuating her poise.


    "Young Miss Dan Qing sure is a genius¡ªonly fifteen years old and already able to concoct pills. It is an honor for the Azure Cloud Alchemy House to have you visit them instead of the other shops," said one of the boys.


    "If you see anything you like, just tell me; I''ll buy it for you, miss Dan Qing" said another.


    The young woman named Dan Qing didn''t seem to care, but Xue San noticed that she enjoyed all the attention.


    Xue San chuckled lightly to himself, but Dan Qing seemed to notice, and her gaze turned to him.


    Seeing her suddenly stop and stare in his direction, Xue San was a bit startled but with a slight smile on his face he nodded at her in greeting.


    Seeing this, something flickered in Dan Qing eyes, and then she smiled at Xue San.


    Noticing this, the group of young men flocking around her turned and stared at Xue San as if he had just stolen something from them. It didn''t help at all that Xue San was good-looking.


    "Hmph, brat, who are you?" asked one of the boys out of nowhere.


    "He seems to be just some outer sect nobody from the Soaring Sword Sect." remarked another


    "Yes, haha, just look at his size. He must be over 18 and still an outer sect member; what trash," another chimed in.


    Hearing them talk about him like that, Xue San''s face fell. Were these people dropped when they were little? What the hell were they saying with me right here in front of them? he thought to himself.


    "Hey, brat, what''s your name?" Suddenly, one of them moved in Xue San''s direction and asked in a commanding tone.


    Seeing this many of the costumers expected to see a good show today.


    Seeing his expression, Xue San didn''t even know what to say, so he just blurted out what was on his mind: "Were you dropped on your head when you were a baby?" he blurted out


    "Hahaha!"


    The sound of beautiful laughter, like the singing of a bird, was heard throughout the entire first floor¡ªit was Dan Qing.


    Hearing her laughter, the boy who was in front of Xue San was so embarrassed that his face was redder than a tomato. Seeing this unknown youth make the beauty he liked laugh at his expense, he lost all rationality.


    "You damn swine, let me teach you manners instead of your parents" He clenched his hand into a fist and was prepared to attack.


    Suddenly, a pressure descended on the entire first floor. "Fights are prohibited in the Azure Cloud Alchemy Pavilion, Young Master Lai Han," a cold female voice was heard, and the young man named Lai Han stopped in his tracks as if frozen in place.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "We are sorry, Senior. I hope you show lenience to Young Master Lai Han," said Dan Qing, her voice pleasant as a melody.


    "Hmph," there was a cold harrumph, and the pressure disappeared.


    Lai Han was stunned for a moment, then in an attempt to save face he turned to Xue San again and said "Consider yourself lucky brat." Although he wanted to sound threatening, his face had a grin because Dan Qing had stood up for him.


    Xue San watched as the group left the Azure Cloud Alchemy Pavilion. He decided to use that strange power he got after fighting Bear-Axe to see if they had really left or if they were waiting for him outside.


    Xue San last week of the journey wasn''t totally useless, even if he couldn''t cultivate he still could train this strange power, he now had a better control over this power.


    Concentrating a bit, everything that was happening in the streets became known to him.


    What he discovered next put a wide grin on his face.


    "Young Miss Dan Qing, of course, we will all help you collect all the Spirit Ginseng you need."


    "Yes, just tell us when you intend to depart, and we will make sure to help you," said another.


    Dan Qing smiled, "Thank you all so much for your help. I intend to go four days from now, you all can meet me at the east gate in the morning. For now, I have some other matters to attend."


    "Yes, of course, Miss Dan Qing."


    So she is also after the Spirit Ginseng, hehehe, Xue San had a grin on his face. That spark that he had in Blueberry Village seemed to have reappeared again.


    Now he just needed to formulate a plan to steal the Spirit Ginseng and also not get caught.


    Why should he face the danger if he could make this group of morons do it? The only one who made him slightly uneasy was that beautiful young woman named Dan Qing.


    "Although I can use up to four Phantom Hands at the same time now, my current Qi reserves aren''t even close enough to sustain them for more than a few breaths of time. If they all attack me together, I will be done for."


    With that in mind, Xue San decided to spend the next few days cultivating. It was dangerous in the long run, but now that Long Huo wanted to kill him for some reason, he needed to grow stronger.


    "Damned if I do, damned if I don''t," he said to himself as he stepped outside the shop.


    Outside the Azure Cloud Alchemy Pavilion, the little boy was still waiting for Xue San." Did you find what you wanted, sir?"


    "No, I want to see a few more shops."


    Xue San visited a few more stores, but none of them were as good and had as many Pills to chose from as the Azure Cloud Alchemy Pavilion.


    He asked the little boy if there might be some obscure shop known only to locals that sold quality products. But to his disappointment, the boy informed him that there was no such place; the Azure Cloud Alchemy Pavilion was indeed the best destination if one wanted pills or pill ingredients.


    There were some other shops only sold Qi Replenishing Pills.


    On the third floor of the Azure Cloud Alchemy Pavilion, there was a middle-aged woman and a young man drinking tea.


    "Aunt, why did you stop Lai Han? Even if that boy is a member of the Soaring Sword Sect, he was still only an outer sect member, and didn''t you say he''s only at the second stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. You also know that, that Dan Qing did it on purpose, she is known for being like that, but she is still a direct descendant of the Dan clan of the Spirit Cauldron Sect, and even Lai Han''s clan is not a small one," said the young man.


    "Hmph, Ling Shaoqing, you brat, do you really think I did that in order to save some outer sect disciple?"


    "What do you mean?" asked the young man named Ling Shaoqing.


    "That brat¡ªI don''t know why he''s going around with an outer sect disciple uniform, but the moment that Lai clan brat attacked, I felt bloodlust coming from that young man. And that strange technique that he used¡ªif I''m not mistaken, it''s the Hundred Phantom Hands. If that Lai brat continued with his attack, he would have died without even knowing how."


    Ling Shaoqing was surprised at his aunt''s words, he knew about the Hundred Phantom Hands technique and how difficult it was to cultivate it, so he pressed on, "But he is still only a second stage of the Qi Condensation Realm cultivator. There was no way he could have dealt with Lai Han."


    Instead of answering, his aunt asked, "Do you know many second-stage Qi Condensation Realm cultivators who have a spiritual sense comparable to a first-stage Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator?"


    Hearing his aunt''s words, Ling spat the tea that he was drinking.


    "But he is definitely in the Qi Condensation Stage," his aunt continued. "Ling Shaoqing, try to find out more about that outer sect disciple of the Soaring Sword Sect. Since you are going there anyway"


    "Yes, Aunt."


    Xue San was unaware that his actions in the Azure Cloud Alchemy Pavilion had brought him unwanted attention.


    Returning to the inn, Xue San paid to stay in the room for three more nights and told the manager not to disturb him.


    Inside his room, Xue San sat in a meditation position. He was getting ready to cultivate using the Mid-Grade pills he had. After seeing how common it was to use the Poor-Grade ones for transactions, he decided not to use them.


    Taking the round blue pill, Xue San popped it into his mouth and swallowed. Then, as if a dam broke loose, a great amount of energy started to flow through his qi paths. But unlike the last time he consumed a Mid-Grade Qi Replenishing Pill, his body could easily handle this amount of energy.


    After cultivating for half an hour, Xue San opened his eyes. "How can this be? One Mid-Grade Pill and it only raised the Qi in my dantian by this amount. Even if it is easy to cultivate, the costs are just too high. I will need to take another one just to break through to the third stage, and God knows how many I will need to be able to move on from there."


    If anyone heard that Xue San''s only complaint was the amount of resources needed to cultivate, they would have probably beaten him half to death. Many people born in good clans had all the advantages needed to cultivate yet couldn''t, and here he was complaining that it was too expensive to cultivate.


    Four days later, Xue San exited his room, a dark look on his face. After this session of cultivation, he was left with a single poor-grade Qi Replenishing Pill.


    He used two mid-grade pills to break through to the third stage, but to break through to the fourth stage, he had to use five mid-grade pills. When he tried to go from the fourth to the fifth stage, he used all the remaining mid-grade pills (four), the five low-grade pills, and even with the ten poor-grade pills, it wasn''t enough. He felt like he needed at least two or three more mid-grade pills to be able to take that last step.


    "Cultivation is so expensive," he sighed to himself.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 19: Dan Qing, You Fucking Bitch!

    Four days later, Xue San exited his room, a dark look on his face. After this session of cultivation, he was left with a single poor-grade Qi Replenishing Pill.


    He used two mid-grade pills to break through to the third stage, but to break through to the fourth stage, he had to use five mid-grade pills. When he tried to go from the fourth to the fifth stage, he used all the remaining mid-grade pills (four), the five low-grade pills, and even with the ten poor-grade pills, it wasn''t enough. He felt like he needed two more mid-tier pills to be able to take that last step.


    "Cultivation is so expensive," he sighed to himself.


    Xue San was at the east gate early in the morning, before even the sun was up. He was careful, in order not to be recognized, he bought some simple green robes to change into.


    He waited for two hours before the group of youths arrived. But the group didn''t consist of just them; there were also what looked like some guards accompanying them. It seemed that each of the youths had brought at least one or two guards.


    Seeing this, Xue San''s face fell. The aura they gave off was similar to that of Senior Brother Yan Yi.


    "Shit," Xue San muttered, his face darkening. He was ready to give up on his plan when he heard a familiar voice.


    "What is the meaning of this?"


    It was Dan Qing; her expression was frosty. "Why are there so many people?"


    Lai Han stepped forward and greeted her. "Good morning, Young Miss Dan Qing. We just thought of bringing some helpers from our clan to make our journey easier."


    "Hmph! Do you really think that if I wanted, I couldn''t bring a couple of Foundation Establishment experts to help me? If this wasn''t a mission issued by the sect, I could even have a Core Formation expert escort me. I can''t have people higher than the Qi Condensation Stage helping, or the mission would count as a failure. Do you want me to fail?" she said coldly.


    Hearing her words, Lai Han and the others'' faces fell a little.


    Seeing this, Dan Qing harrumphed. "If you''re scared, just stay here. It''s not like I can''t do it alone."


    "Haha, of course not, Young Miss Dan Qing," said Lai Han awkwardly. "You heard Young Miss Dan Qing; you can go back. We will go alone with her."


    "But young master..." one of the guards began to protest, but before he could continue, he was slapped by Lai Han.


    "Shut up, you imbecile! Or do you want Miss Dan Qing to fail? If I told you to go back, then you just have to scram."


    The guard didn''t dare say anything more to Lai Han. He bowed and went back. Seeing this, the other young masters also sent their guards away.


    Seeing this, Dan Qing had a satisfied smile on her face. "As expected of Young Master Lai Han."


    "Haha, don''t worry, Young Miss Dan Qing. Even without them here, I will ensure your safety," Lai Han said confidently.


    Witnessing this situation, Xue San let out a sigh of relief. If it was only them, he was almost certain he could find a way to accomplish his goal.


    The group departed to look for the Spirit Ginseng. Xue San didn''t draw much attention; after all, there were many cultivators exploring this area, and he made sure to keep a good distance from them.


    His plan was to use his special power from time to time to spy on the group. Along the way, he would lay small traps that he had learned from his father to delay them after he stole the Spirit Ginseng from them.


    The reason for him stealing the Spirit Ginseng wasn''t only to pull a fast one on Lin Hai, but also because obtaining the plant was not so easy¡ªbecause of the One-Eyed Mole.


    The One-Eyed Mole usually lived near the Spirit Ginseng because of the plant''s roots. As long as the main body wasn''t consumed, the Spirit Ginseng could easily regrow its roots in a matter of days, so the mole protected the plant with its life.


    It was a small, subterranean creature about 50 inches long (1.27?m) with velvety dark fur that blended with the shadows, and it had a single eye on its forehead.


    The One-Eyed Mole had powerful, spade-like claws tipped with metallic nails about five inches long, which it used to burrow swiftly through the earth. Its sensitive whiskers aided in spatial awareness. Although it was a one-star Qi beast with minor earth affinity, it wasn''t much more dangerous than a dog to a cultivator.


    The real danger was its eye. It could launch a strange power that affected one''s soul, putting a person into a trance. Once hit by this attack, they were like sitting ducks ready for slaughter.


    Xue San followed the group of six at a distance of 150 feet (45?m). If he was farther than that, he could lose them out of his "sight."


    Along the way, Xue San examined the terrain, deciding where to plant some small traps to make his escape easier.


    After walking for a little more than an hour, Xue San noticed that a group consisting of 13 One-Eyed Moles was starting to surround Dan Qing group of six, but everyone seemed unaware of this fact¡ªexcept for Dan Qing, who moved from the front of the group to the middle.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Then the youngest man in the group, who was at the back, let out a piercing scream.


    "Mao Xiaosi!" Lin Hai yelled as he watched one of his friends had his throat pierced by a metallic claw from behind.


    "We are probably surrounded by a group of them already. We need to be careful of their spiritual sense attack, and we will be fine," said Dan Qing.


    At her words, the group composed themselves and got into defensive positions.


    Seeing them preparing for battle, Xue San dashed back. He wanted to use this chance to prepare the traps for his escape.


    Xue San knew that he didn''t have much time, but now that he was a cultivator, he could do things he couldn''t before, like making a hole in an instant or carrying really heavy objects. He didn''t spend much time setting the traps¡ªonly 20 to 25 minutes¡ªbut when he went back to see if the fight was still ongoing, the group wasn''t there anymore.


    The ground was full of One-Eyed Moles'' corpses, and there was also another youth who had died besides the one named Mao Xiaosi.


    Seeing the corpses of the One-Eyed Moles, Xue San could only sigh. He knew from the book he got from the old man that the eye could be considered an ingredient, but he didn''t know for what, and he didn''t have time nor a way to store them before they became useless.


    Xue San used his power to scout the area but didn''t find the group. He was extremely grateful for being the son of a very good hunter at this moment. He followed the tracks they left behind. It didn''t take him more than five minutes before catching up to them.


    Along the way he saw many corpses of One-Eyed Moles


    "Young Miss Dan Qing, I think it would be better if we turn back. Something isn''t right," said Lin Han in a low voice. "Being surrounded by so many One-Eyed Moles isn''t normal."


    He didn''t dare say it outright, but he was extremely dissatisfied with Dan Qing at that moment. He had already lost two of his friends on what should have been a simple mission to acquire some Spirit Ginseng.


    It also didn''t make any sense. One-Eyed Moles usually weren''t so ferocious, but this time they attacked as if their lives depended on it.


    And Dan Qing, who was supposedly a genius alchemist of the Dan clan, didn''t even carry a single Blood Replenishing Pill, although expensive, it was a pill that she ought to have as a member of the spirit cauldron sect, an alchemist, and more importantly a descendant of the Dan clan. Such a pill could have saved the second boy''s life for sure.


    "Young Master Lin Han, we''ve already come this far," Dan Qing said. "If we turn back now, everything would have been for nothing. I will remember this favor deeply. The help you and your clans have provided won''t be forgotten¡ªnot by me, nor by my clan." She tried to reassure them after seeing the looks on everyone''s faces.


    And it seemed to have worked. They continued forward, but Xue San noticed that Dan Qing scattered some kind of powder as they moved. The corner of her lips curled into a slight smile.


    Xue San wasn''t entirely sure what it was, but he had a guess. Given the strange behavior and the unusually high number of One-Eyed Moles they had encountered, the powder must be something that attracted them.


    But that made no sense. Why would Dan Qing sabotage her own mission? Perhaps her real objective was to kill these young men. But for what reason? From what Xue San observed, she came from a very powerful and influential clan.


    He was starting to doubt whether continuing with his own plan was a good idea. He didn''t want to get involved in another mess. For now, he decided to just observe. Maybe he was wrong, and there was another reason behind her actions.


    The group moved forward at a much slower pace. They were ambushed twice more, but this time they were prepared and suffered no casualties. Still, they already looked very tired.


    "We should rest and replenish our energy," suggested Dan Qing. "I have some high-grade Qi Replenishing Pills here. Please, use them." She took out a bottle containing six pills and handed two to each of them. "Recover your strength while I stand guard. But don''t take too long¡ªthis is still a dangerous place."


    Hearing her words, the three young masters looked delighted. Even for them, a High-Grade Qi Replenishing Pill was something rare.


    "Thank you, Young Miss Dan Qing," they said, clasping their hands in gratitude. They sat down, crossed their legs, and consumed the pills.


    Taking this opportunity, Xue San moved closer until the group was within his line of sight, making sure he remained undetected.


    He saw Dan Qing take out that strange powder again, this time spreading even more of it. It didn''t take long before another group of One-Eyed Moles appeared. Yet Dan Qing didn''t immediately alert the others. She waited until they were completely surrounded before warning them. "Careful, here they come again!"


    The group of three rose, ready for combat. This time there were twenty-three One-Eyed Moles. Seeing such a large number, Lai Han and the other two faces grew pale.


    "Damn it, something''s definitely wrong here," Lai Han thought. "This bitch will be the death of me. After this, I''m heading back no matter what she says. She claimed she could handle it alone, anyway." By the look on the other two''s faces, they were thinking the same thing.


    The fight was intense. Only five or six of the One-Eyed Moles actually attacked in close quarters, while the others launched that strange energy beam from their eye. It made defending themselves incredibly difficult.


    Fifteen minutes into the fight, a scream echoed: "Ahhhhhh!"


    "Nooo! Junior Brother Zeng Shi!" yelled Zeng Yuan, the last remaining companion beside Lai Han. Then he froze. "Brother Lai Han, something is wrong. My Qi circulation is sluggish, I th¡ª" He couldn''t finish his sentence before he was hit by a barrage of attacks. He froze in place, and the One-Eyed Moles leapt at him, tearing him apart.


    Seeing this, Lai Han''s eyes turned red. If even now he didn''t understand what was happening, then he truly deserved the fate that had befallen him. He spun around and yelled, "Dan Qing, you fucking bitch! You dare plot against us! What was in those damn pills you gave us!" he also stared to feel that his circulation was growing sluggish "Our clans know we came here with you. Not only your clan but even the Spirit Cauldron Sect won''t be able to save you!"


    Hearing him, Dan Qing revealed a sadistic smile. "Hahaha, you idiot. Do you really think I care about that? My own clan is after me. Once I''m done with you, I''ll disappear from here."


    Hearing her words, Lin Han eyes grew red, he wanted nothing more than to tear this bitch limb from limb


    "Don''t think you''ll get out of here alive today," Lai Han snarled. "I''ll make sure to take you down with me." He knew he was finished, so he threw caution to the wind and used a strange technique. His body started to shrivel at a pace noticeable to the naked eye.


    For the first time, a hint of seriousness flashed across Dan Qing''s face. She summoned a jade talisman from her spatial ring, bit her tongue, and spat the blood onto it. Hastily performing several incantation gestures, she activated it. The jade began to glow, and a Qi barrier formed around her.


    She finished her preparations just as Lin Han closed in, sword in hand. He slashed at Dan Qing, causing a loud boom. Dan Qing used the force of the impact to dash backward.


    The force of the impact was so great that the One-Eyed Moles scattered in all directions. Apparently, their instincts had kicked in, and they understood this place was too dangerous for them.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 20: The Death Of Dan Qing

    Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 20: The Death Of Dan Qing


    The force of the impact was so great that the One-Eyed Moles scattered in all directions. Their instincts had kicked in, and they understood this place was too dangerous for them.


    Dan Qing had to admit she hadn''t expected such an attack from someone like Lin Han. Judging by his appearance, he must have used a forbidden technique, trading his lifespan for a tremendous surge in power.


    This jade talisman was a gift from her mother, capable of withstanding a strike from a peak mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator without so much as a scratch. Yet now there were cracks in the shield.


    Even so, Dan Qing didn''t panic. Seeing Lin Han''s state, she knew he had, at most, one more attack on that level. After that, he was done.


    In the blink of an eye, Lin Han appeared before Dan Qing once more. He now looked like a thousand-year-old mummy. He swung his sword again. This time, the Qi barrier shattered like glass, and Dan Qing was flung through the air like a rag doll, coincidentally landing in Xue San''s direction.


    After landing that blow, Lin Han''s body dropped to the ground. He was nothing but dry, withered skin and brittle bones that shattered the moment he fell.


    The area now was completely empty, except for the disheveled Dan Qing who struggled to her feet, breathing heavily, her face flushed. "Goddammit, what kind of insane technique was that?" she cursed, spitting out a mouthful of blood.


    Although Lin Han only managed two strikes before dying, the power behind them was beyond Dan Qing''s expectations. As a result, she ended up suffering internal injuries.


    This exchange took some time to describe but all of this happened within mere moments.


    Xue San was still hiding, scarcely daring to breathe, as Dan Qing had landed only a few steps away.


    Suddenly, Dan Qing spun around and threw a pill in Xue San''s direction. The moment it landed, it exploded into a cloud of green smoke.


    "Hmph, you dare use your spiritual sense on me without even trying to disguise it? I thought you were just some guard these fools brought along to trail us, but since you didn''t rush to their aid, it seems that wasn''t the case." Her voice was cold.


    Xue San felt his whole body growing stiff, his consciousness heavy. "You''re really lucky. I''ve already accomplished my objective, so your death will be a fast one." She approached him, seemingly unbothered by the green smoke a sweet smile across her face.


    She stopped two feet (about half a meter) away from Xue San and drew her sword, stabbing it into his leg. Xue San''s only reaction was a slight tremble. She wanted to make sure the poison pill had worked. She wasn''t foolish enough to get close to an unknown enemy without ensuring he was completely defenseless. Dan Qing was extremely familiar with the Wood-Stone Poison Pill, having used it many times on her enemies. Seeing his reaction, she offered a beautiful smile, as if giving Xue San one final gift before he departed from this world.


    She drew closer, raised her sword, and swung it toward Xue San''s neck.


    Dan Qing''s eyes widened so much that they threatened to pop out of their sockets. Her sword had briefly slowed, and every instinct in her body screamed that she now faced a moment of extreme, deadly crisis. She had only ever felt like this once before in her life¡ªduring that incident which had set her on the path she walked today.


    She mustered all the energy in her body to force her sword forward and sever the young man''s head. Unfortunately for her, this was the wrong choice. If she had chosen to retreat instead, she wouldn''t have forfeited her life on this mountain today.


    Xue San''s entire body felt heavy and stiff. When he tried to circulate his Qi, it only got worse. Yet with death looming over him, he had no choice but to summon a Phantom Hand to stop Dan Qing''s attack.


    Because he was poisoned, the Phantom Hand looked as though it were made of clay or jelly. He saw Dan Qing''s sword slow down but not stop entirely. His mind froze; he didn''t know what else to do.


    But even if his mind was paralyzed, his body still moved on instinct. He lunged at Dan Qing''s throat like a vicious serpent and sank his teeth into it. Pinning her down, he bit and tore at her throat with his own mouth.


    If anyone had witnessed this scene, they would have thought Xue San was no human, but some sort of demon that craved mortal flesh.


    Life began to drain from Dan Qing. She still suffered internal injuries from Lin Han''s attack, and what Xue San was doing caught her completely off guard.


    Regret¡ªan overwhelming amount of regret¡ªfilled her heart at this moment. It wasn''t regret for her actions today, she had done worse in the past, but regret that she had been so close to completing her goal. She had sacrificed so much to walk her chosen path, and now it ended because of one foolish mistake.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Had she chosen to retreat instead of pressing on, the outcome of this encounter would have been drastically different, leaving Xue San as the one to lose his life in this place.


    In her final moments, before the last strands of life slipped away entirely, Dan Qing glimpsed a strange vision behind the young man: a pair of eyes that seemed to belong to a snake or a dragon. Yet the youth continued gnawing at her throat as if consuming her flesh and blood was his only hope of survival.


    Then a beam of golden light entered her body, and Dan Qing ceased to exist from that moment onward.


    Xue San noticed none of this. Although it might have looked like he''d lost his mind, he was entirely sane. The reason he acted this way was because, after Dan Qing''s initial attack, some of her blood had gotten into his mouth, and he had swallowed it. In turn, it made his body feel lighter and cleared his dizzy head.


    "Her blood is the antidote," was the only conclusion he could reach. Not wanting to lose his life, he did what he had to do to survive.


    Since the fight with Bear-Axe, Xue San had gradually become more like a true cultivator. He still maintained his core values, but if someone had told him a year ago that he would one day gnaw at the throat of a beautiful young woman like a wild beast, he would have laughed and called them insane.


    He stopped once he felt his body return to normal. Standing up, he looked at the mangled remains of Dan Qing''s once beautiful neck.


    He should have felt disgust, anger, or even fear at himself¡ªbut he didn''t. For some reason, none of these emotions arose. This fact unsettled him more than anything else. He began to fear that he was slowly turning into a monster who would one day lose control, like the cultivators described in the books he''d read.


    "Now isn''t the time to worry about this," he told himself. He knew the sounds of battle might attract other cultivators, or perhaps the smell of blood would draw some powerful beast. It was time to leave.


    Before departing, he considered Dan Qing''s body and decided to take it with him. He would dispose of it somewhere else, ensuring that she bore the blame for what had happened. After all, people had seen her leave the city with that group of young masters.


    He first returned to dismantle the traps he had set, then tied Dan Qing''s body to his back, and dashed away. He decided to head to the hidden place that had surfaced in his memory after his fight with Bear-Axe.


    Little did Xue San realize that his decision today would not only save his life but also prevent numerous future complications.


    Two hours after Xue San left, a group of no more than twelve cultivators rushed through the forest. Leading them was a man in his early thirties.


    They stopped at the place where Lin Han and Dan Qing had perished.


    The man stood quietly, an air of authority about him. His build was sturdy but not bulky, defined more by sinewy strength and precise movements than raw muscle. His eyes were a deep chestnut color and a prominent chin." He wore robes similar to Dan Qing''s, except on his left chest was a small engraving that read "Enforcer," and on the back, a large character spanning the entire length of the robe: "Blood."


    These people belonged to the Enforcer Hall of the Spirit Cauldron Sect, the Blood Division. They handled the sect''s most delicate matters. The captain of this squad was Qi Honghui.


    "Sir, she has already fled the scene," one subordinate reported. "From the looks of it, she collected the last five souls needed for the ritual."


    "Damn it! Search this place thoroughly. It seems she was also seriously injured. She couldn''t have gone far. We must find her and bring her back to the sect!"


    "Yes!" they responded in unison, dispersing in various directions.


    "Dan Qing, you wretch!" Qi Honghui seethed, his eyes filled with rage and killing intent. "Your actions have already killed your mother, yet you still chose to walk this path. I will make sure I''m the one to execute you with my own two hands." said Qi Honghui.


    Xue San pressed onward for four relentless days, allowing himself no more than a single hour''s rest each night. He knew only the vague direction in which to find the hidden cave¡ªjust a blurred memory of a moss-veiled entrance tucked into a rugged, humid landscape of smooth, time-worn stone. The place was subtle in its concealment: a dark, secretive entrance amid a spread of round, ancient boulders that seemed like the remnants of some long-crumbled structure. Everything about it blended flawlessly into its surroundings; if one did not search with the utmost care, it would vanish into the wild terrain.


    At last, after a grueling journey that wore on his body and mind, Xue San felt a profound relief to have located it. The days had been exceedingly harsh. Along the way, he had disposed of Dan Qing''s corpse by casting it to a ravenous wolf pack¡ªan act that struck him as both necessary and strangely foreign, it was as though he had shed his former self, becoming something colder and less merciful, a stark contrast to the person he once was.


    The moment he stepped inside the cave, he surrendered to exhaustion without so much as a glance around. He dropped heavily to the ground and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.


    When Xue San awoke¡ªhe knew not how much time had passed¡ªthe darkness had softened, allowing him to study his surroundings. What he saw was no ordinary hollow in the earth, but an ancient corridor. The walls, hewn by nature and time, were washed in muted hues of brown, gray, and black. A worn set of stone steps led deeper into the gloom, while a faint, ethereal light from the entrance traced delicate patterns over the rough surfaces.


    He decided to explore in search of anything of value, but first, he would examine Dan Qing''s spatial ring. Such rings were known throughout the cultivation world, yet rarely owned. They were precious beyond measure, items that even in the entire Soul Saint Kingdom were very rare. Only the most powerful, or influential cultivators possessed one. Yet now, through violence and fate, Xue San had obtained this extraordinary artifact for himself.


    A spatial ring operated in an almost mystical fashion. Even a first-stage Qi Condensation cultivator could use it by channeling a strand of Qi inside. Opening it felt like unsealing a vast, invisible box. By concentrating on the desired object, one could summon it forth as if plucking it from thin air. Dan Qing''s ring was not large¡ªits interior space measured roughly two cubic meters¡ªbut it was a marvel all the same.


    Xue San studied the ring for a few moments. It appeared to be fashioned from a blend of jade and metal, and tiny engravings of pill cauldrons adorned its surface. "How beautiful," he murmured in admiration.


    He then emptied the ring''s contents onto the cave floor, taking his time to inspect each item one by one.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 21: Spoils Of Battle.

    Xue San emptied the ring''s contents onto the cave floor, taking time to sift through them one by one.


    There was a small cauldron, a few bottles with powders, and several pill bottles scattered among the spilled contents. Of the pills, Xue San recognized only three: Qi Replenishing Pills, Fasting Pills, and the strange, terrifying pill that Dan Qing had used on him. Though he did not know its name, he knew firsthand its dreadful effect all too well.


    In addition to the pills, there were three jade slips, a jade talisman, and a curious dark-red marble speckled with shifting motes of light. Xue San studied the cauldron first.


    Cylindrical and formed from a dusky bronze metal, it perched on three curved legs. Its surface bore a faint, shimmering luster, etched with delicate runes. Two slender handles arched outward on opposite sides, fashioned into twisting serpent shapes. The interior walls revealed three large runes carved directly into the metal. Representing the fire, water, and wood elements.


    Xue San''s heart stirred. Though he dared not voice it, he still harbored hope that one day he might become an alchemist. Owning such a cauldron, so clearly forged for the craft, set a subtle ember of excitement glowing within him.


    Turning from the cauldron, he separated the pill bottles he recognized from those he did not. He placed the Qi Replenishing Pills, the Fasting Pills, and sinister unknown pills aside. The jade talisman had been something Dan Qing had used before, and Xue San intended to attempt it later¡ªif he could recall the required incantations. He suspected he still remembered them, albeit imperfectly.


    The dark-red marble puzzled him. He had not the faintest idea what it was, and so he set it carefully aside as well.


    Finally, he picked up the three jade slips. The first bore the inscription "Shadow Veil Technique." The second read "Dan Clan Concoction Recepies no1." The third slip''s title was faded and archaic, with only a single recognizable word still visible: "¡­Ghostfire¡­"


    "How does this work?" Xue San muttered. He recalled how Dan Qing had employed the jade talisman and decided to try a similar method. With a small nick of his finger, he let a bead of blood fall onto one of the jade slips. Nothing happened. Frowning, he considered incantations, then tried channeling his Qi into the slip¡ªstill nothing.


    Then he remembered Dan Qing''s words: "Hmph, you dare use your spiritual sense on me without even trying to disguise it?" Perhaps the strange power he had tapped into earlier was called ''spiritual sense.'' Determined, he focused and sent out a tendril of that inner perception. Instantly, a stream of information surged into his mind, etched there as though he had studied it endlessly.


    "Shadow Veil Art."


    The Shadow Veil Art is a sophisticated spiritual technique designed to conceal and manipulate one''s spiritual presence. It guided cultivators to blend their essence with ephemeral shadow energies until they could obscure their spiritual signatures from all detection, it could also hide a cultivator, cultivation base. At advanced stages, one could even vanish from sight. The art thrived under darkness, where its power reached exquisite heights. To cultivate it, one must meditate in dim surroundings, envisioning threads of shadow energy weaving seamlessly into the fabric of their spiritual sense, until it becomes indistinguishable from darkness itself. Be careful this technique becomes weaker during the day when the shadow energy is weaker.


    "Incredible," Xue San breathed, his voice hushed with awe.


    He took up the second jade slip and repeated the process, sending a focused strand of spiritual sense into it. This one was the "Dan Clan Concoction Recipes Jade Slip No. 12". The moment he made contact, a stream of knowledge rushed into Xue San''s mind, revealing one formula after another: The Fasting Pill, The Qi Replenishing Pill, The Mindstream Pill, The Blood Replenishing Pill, and finally The Wood-Stone Poison Pill. What amazed him was that he not only acquired the recipes, but also detailed notes on their preparation¡ªprecisely which steps mattered most, subtle timings, critical temperature changes. It felt as if a skilled mentor stood silently over his shoulder, guiding him through each delicate step.


    For a moment, Xue San smiled, elated by this trove of knowledge. But then he remembered how he had come by it, and his smile withered into a grim line.


    Next, he turned his attention to the last piece of jade¡ªthe one of immeasurable age and faintly archaic aura¡ªand repeated the process. The information it bestowed chilled him to the bone, stripping away any lingering guilt he still felt for Dan Qing''s fate. What he found was a vile and appalling method of enhancing one''s spiritual sense:


    The Evil Kinblood Ghostfire Pill.


    The jade slip explained that no one knew who first devised this fiendish recipe. It called for the blood and souls of one''s three closest relatives, as well as the souls of a hundred cultivators who carried special bloodlines. When refined and consumed, this abomination could increase a cultivator''s spiritual sense by twenty percent each time it expanded through cultivation. But the cost was beyond monstrous, staining the soul of the one who dared create it.


    There were also instructions detailing the pill''s exact concoction method. Xue San''s gaze drifted to the dark-red marble, within which sparks of light danced and shimmered. Now he understood. That marble contained the soul''s Dan Qing had gathered¡ªthose five cultivators killed to feed this horrific process.


    "It all makes sense now," he muttered. Dan Qing must have slaughtered members of her own clan to prepare the base of this wicked formula, then left the sect to find more victims with special bloodlines. She had planned to use this place¡ªand that sinister marble¡ªto complete her unholy work. And by the looks of it, she had succeeded.


    Xue San shook his head, disgust and disbelief warring within him. "What a terrifying woman," he said softly, his words echoing in the silent, ancient cave.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Xue San carefully returned every item to the spatial ring. He intended to explore this strange place first, suspecting that perhaps Bear-Axe had concealed his most valuable treasures here. After fashioning a crude torch, he pressed deeper into the cavern.


    About ten minutes later, he emerged into a remarkable space. Ancient stone pillars rose from the damp earth, half-submerged and etched with runes nearly lost to time''s relentless erosion. Stalactites, dripping with moisture, hung overhead, while moss clung to every surface. The pillars leaned inward, forming a broken circle around a fractured dais. A hushed darkness pervaded the chamber, punctuated only by a distant, subtle hum¡ªan echo of a bygone era, lingering in the subterranean gloom.


    At the circle''s center lay a human skeleton sheathed in decaying armor. The metal was riddled with holes and fractures, so fragile that a single touch might reduce it to dust. But most astonishing to Xue San were the bones themselves, gleaming like pale jade¡ªlustrous and gemstone-like, rather than porous and worn. The lower half of the skeleton was missing, severed at the waist, and it lacked one arm entirely. Yet the remaining one was using his hand to clench tightly around what seemed to be a small green jade token.


    Intrigued, Xue San reached out, intending to lift the hand or at least free the jade piece. To his surprise, the limb would not budge. He strained against it, first with both hands, then by conjuring four Phantom Hands¡ªtranslucent constructs of Qi¡ªbut his efforts proved futile. The skeletal grasp might as well have been forged from solid stone.


    "What is this thing made of?" he growled, perplexed.


    He crouched down for a closer look. The jade token bore some kind of carving¡ªpossibly a technique similar to the jade slips he had found in Dan Qing''s spatial ring. Driven by curiosity, Xue San placed his finger gently against the jade. Its surface was cool, and a subtle vitality pulsed through it, resonating with his Qi. Steeling himself, he channeled a strand of spiritual sense into the token.


    A sudden torrent of information erupted inside his mind, an overwhelming flood that threatened to sweep him away with its sheer intensity.


    The Wood King Body


    This technique was developed by the Elemental King when he was still at the Soul Seed Formation Stage, after meditating under the Eternal Ironwood Tree for twenty years. It is one of the strongest techniques for body enhancement in existence.


    By refining materials rich in wood spiritual energy into their physical body, cultivators undergo a transformative journey through five progressive stages. Each stage amplifies their strength and grants extraordinary abilities.


    Each stage instructs the cultivator in the delicate art of inscribing precise runes upon their skin, bones, flesh, and vital organs. Afterward, the cultivator must synchronize these inscriptions with the entirety of their body, forging a flawless and unified formation.


    First Stage: Wooden Skin


    Through meticulous absorption of wood-rich spiritual materials and meditation, the energy integrates into the skin, causing it to harden and become tough.


    At this stage, the skin provides natural armor against physical attacks, and the cultivator''s strength is multiplied by two, allowing for more powerful movements and strikes.


    Second Stage: Iron Bones and Flesh


    Building upon the foundation laid by Wooden Skin, the cultivator refines additional wood materials to permeate their skeleton and flesh. The bones and muscles undergo a profound transformation, hardening to the strength of iron.


    The bones become nearly unbreakable, significantly reducing the risk of fractures. The flesh, now as tough as iron, synergizes with the skin, which also grows stronger. This synergy amplifies their overall physical prowess, multiplying their strength by four¡ªeffectively doubling the enhancement from the previous stage.


    Third Stage: Iron Organs


    Delving deeper, the practitioner focuses on internal organs. By refining extremely rare and powerful wood essences, the organs attain iron-like hardness without losing functionality.


    The organs are shielded from internal injuries and can resist most toxins and diseases. Additionally, the cultivator gains a longer lifespan than others at the same stage. Physical prowess is multiplied by eight, showcasing a significant leap in power.


    Fourth Stage: Verdant Rebirth


    At this advanced stage, the cultivator''s body attains remarkable healing abilities. At this stage, the cultivator needs special pills to be able to cultivate this stage. Pills like the Essence of the Forest or The Wood''s King Breath.


    At this stage, the cultivator can regrow lost limbs. Strength is multiplied by sixteen times, enabling feats beyond the ordinary. The body''s enhanced healing slows aging and increases lifespan.


    Fifth Stage: Eternal Evergreen


    The pinnacle of the Wood King Body Technique, this stage grants near-immortality. The practitioner''s connection with wood essence reaches its zenith. Cultivating this final stage requires not only extremely rare material, but also enlightenment into the Wood Law and a piece of the Eternal Ironwood Tree as material to refine the body.


    At this stage, the cultivator can regenerate the entire body from a single drop of blood, provided it contains their life essence. Strength is multiplied by thirty-six times, making the practitioner a force of nature. The body can withstand catastrophic damage and recover fully.


    To say that Xue San was utterly shocked would be an understatement. He could hardly believe such a godly technique existed. Even if he didn''t fully grasp the final stage, the first few stages alone were astounding.


    Now it all made sense "No wonder that Bear-Axe wasn''t afraid to fight disciples of a great sect." he thought. "With a powerful technique like this, he was practically invincible. But where did he find the material to cultivate this?"


    Xue San took one last, lingering look around the cavern, preparing to leave, when a sudden, terrible sensation claimed him. His entire body felt as though it had been plunged into the deepest, coldest waters of an unfathomable abyss. Every hair on his flesh stood on end like quills; he could not move an inch, let alone cry out. It was as if the air itself had solidified around him, trapping him in a moment of exquisite terror.


    Before his frozen gaze, the once-motionless skeleton began to ascend from the ground, drifting silently upward until it hovered just before him. The armor¡ªso delicate it seemed ready to collapse at a touch¡ªremained intact around those jade-like bones. Despite the gaping emptiness where eyes or flesh might have been, Xue San felt an unsettling certainty that the skeleton was studying him.


    In a slow, deliberate motion, it raised the hand still clutching that mysterious jade token. With nightmarish gentleness, a bony fingertip tapped Xue San''s chest. At the contact, a bead of his blood seeped forth, rolling down to meet the jade''s surface. The moment crimson touched green, the token flared with brilliant light and then vanished altogether.


    The skeleton began to disintegrate. Its form shimmered and dissolved into countless motes of dust, starting at the torso and ending at the skull. Just before it vanished completely, Xue San had a strange and lingering impression that the skeleton was smiling at him. In that fleeting instant, a voice echoed through the cavern¡ªdistant, distorted, as though it traveled from a time long buried beneath ages of silence. Yet the words were mangled, torn by interference and weakness.


    But from Xue San''s perspective, only disjointed fragments reached him: "¡­me¡­my¡­k¡­your¡­du¡­ ¡­the¡­rry¡­ ...than Clan!"


    A sudden, unimaginable pain lanced through his mind, after hearing heating this, obliterating thought and sense. The world wavered, tilted, and then faded to black. Overwhelmed, Xue San slipped into unconsciousness.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 22: Five Hundred Years

    The skeleton began to disintegrate. Its form shimmered and dissolved into countless motes of dust, starting at the torso and ending at the skull. Just before it vanished completely, Xue San had a strange and lingering impression that the skeleton was smiling at him. In that fleeting instant, a voice echoed through the cavern¡ªdistant, distorted, as though it traveled from a time long buried beneath ages of silence. Yet the words were mangled, torn by interference and weakness.


    But from Xue San''s perspective, only disjointed fragments reached him: "¡­me¡­my¡­k¡­your¡­du¡­ ¡­the¡­rry¡­Clan!"


    A sudden, unimaginable pain lanced through his mind, after hearing heating this, obliterating thought and sense. The world wavered, tilted, and then faded to black. Overwhelmed, Xue San slipped into unconsciousness.


    ------------------


    In a faraway place among the stars, inside a temple made of bones, two figures stood. One was an old man who resembled a mummy, while the other was a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his forties.


    "Venerable Golden-Gate, the patriarch sent me here, but there doesn''t seem to be any change to the seal," said the middle-aged man. "You''ve been here for too long; maybe you just imagined it," he added as an afterthought.


    "Humph! Listen here, you moron," the old man snapped. "I have been tending to this seal since before you were born. You have no idea how terrifying that bastard was, and he had that wretched woman by his side. Even the tiniest oversight could be our downfall."


    Although the middle-aged man felt offended, he did not dare to show it. After all, this venerable figure before him was a cultivator who had taken part in the great war that ended the Fourth Epoch and began the Fifth. He was a legendary being, the leader of one of the most powerful and fearsome forces in the Chaosverse.


    "Venerable Golden-Gate, I assure you we take this problem very seriously," said the middle-aged man. "As you know, that world shattered into countless fragments. We''ve found many, but some remain hidden between the folds of space and time. It''s extremely difficult to locate them, and as time passes¡ª"


    Before he could finish, the old man interrupted, "Yes, yes, I already know. Who do you think recovered most of them? It was my Golden Gate. Now go back and tell the others that I want a meeting."


    "With whom?" the middle-aged man asked.


    "All of them," the old man said sternly.


    "All?" The middle-aged man hesitated. "I''m afraid that will take a great deal of time. Some of the esteemed ones are in seclusion, and the Flame Emperor is at a critical stage in his forging. I''m afraid it will be¡ª"


    "Five hundred years," the old man interrupted. "Tell them that''s the limit I''m giving. I need all of them here within five hundred years."


    The middle-aged man was stunned by Venerable Golden-Gate''s seriousness, but he clasped his hands and bowed, accepting the order. "Yes, Your Excellency."


    ---------------------------------


    Xue San woke with confusion etched across his face. What¡­ what the hell was that? He tried to recall what had happened. "I went in, found that strange skeleton, then it moved. After that, it said something¡­" But attempting to remember triggered a stabbing pain in his head. He grasped his temples, dropping to his knees as agony flared behind his eyes.


    After a few moments, the pain subsided. Without further hesitation, he fled that cavernous chamber, left the cave, and kept running for nearly twenty minutes. Only when he felt a safe distance away did he slow, panting and cursing under his breath.


    "Shit. Why is all this weird stuff happening to me?" he barked, irritation and fear mingling in his voice. Ever since he''d arrived at the sect¡ªno, even before that, since meeting that old bastard who tricked him¡ªhis life seemed to have spiraled into chaos. "FUCK!" he swore, as if cursing fate itself. In just half a year, he''d experienced more harrowing events than all the people of Silverberry Village combined.


    He paused outside the cave, working to calm himself down. "I should return to the city first," he decided, glancing at the intricately carved spatial ring. "I shouldn''t wear it for now. It might cause more trouble than it''s worth." This time, he chose not to hurry. He rested, changed into clean clothes¡ªhe wasn''t foolish enough to wander into town spattered with blood¡ªand, as a result, the journey back to Darkwood City took nearly a week. At last, he returned.


    The moment he entered, he felt the city''s mood had shifted drastically. The streets were packed with guards from nearly every major clan in Darkwood, and a grim pall seemed to hang over everything. Not wanting to stand out, Xue San slipped quietly through the crowd and headed straight for the inn where he''d stayed previously. There, he booked a room for ten days, paid, and settled into a quiet corner of the dining hall, hoping to overhear the latest rumors.


    "I never really liked that Lin Han fellow. That bastard deserved whatever he got," one man remarked a few tables away. He raised his cup, as if toasting some unknown avenger.


    "Not so loud, you fool!" hissed his friend. "The Lin Clan is like a hornet''s nest now¡ªthey''ll kill anyone who even whispers about Lin Han''s death!"The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "But don''t you think it''s suspicious that the Dan Clan arrived here so quickly?" asked another, lowering his voice. "There''s a rumor going around that it was their young miss who did it."


    "Impossible," said his companion. "She was already at the 8th stage of Qi Condensation, a one-star Alchemist, and a direct descendant of the Dan Clan. What would she gain by killing him?"


    "Still, the Dan Clan showing up so fast is odd," the other pressed. "Maybe they rushed here the moment her life jade shattered."


    At his table, Xue San let out an inward sigh of relief. His plan had worked, diverting suspicion onto Dan Qing. But that the Dan Clan had arrived so promptly made him anxious. Had he slipped up somewhere? Nothing came to mind.


    After finishing his meal, Xue San retired to his room. He intended to examine the pills he''d collected and attempt to cultivate the Shadow Veil Art. He couldn''t help feeling disappointed in the Soaring Sky Sect. The public lessons were a joke, and while the public library was excellent, it demanded too many contribution points. For someone not born into a cultivation clan, clawing his way out of the outer sect seemed nearly impossible. If he had known earlier what spiritual sense truly was and how dangerous its careless use could be, he would never have acted so recklessly.


    Unbeknownst to Xue San, his spiritual sense was far stronger than what was normal for a Qi Condensation cultivator. Even Dan Qing¡ªconsidered gifted by her clan''s standards and known for her remarkable spiritual perception¡ªhad only been able to cover a mere thirty feet (around nine meters). And that was considered impressive, given the Dan Clan''s reputation in matters of alchemy and spiritual finesse.


    He looked over the pill bottles, feeling a mixture of caution and excitement. He had gained quite a collection: thirty Poor-Grade Qi Gathering Pills, fifteen Low-Grade, fifteen Mid-Grade, seven High-Grade, and, most precious of all, one Peak-Grade Qi Gathering Pill. He also possessed five of those poisonous pills, ten Fasting Pills, the vile Evil Kinblood Ghostfire Pill, and two others whose purpose he couldn''t identify. After some comparison, he recognized one as a Mindstream Pill, but the other remained a mystery. There were also vials of various powders, which he decided to shelve for later investigation.


    For now, he would focus on the Shadow Veil Art. Its ability to disguise his cultivation base could be invaluable upon his return to the sect. He decided against cultivating further until he mastered it. Only then, hidden under the veil, would it be somewhat safer to progress in his cultivation.


    He sat down to cultivate, but as he called upon his spiritual sense, his eyes snapped open in shock. There, near his dantian, he "saw" the jade-green token floating, now fully visible to him. Uncovered by the skeleton''s hand, it radiated vitality. The token bore the symbol of an ancient tree with interwoven roots and branches forming five concentric circles, representing five stages of transformation and a deep bond with nature. "Beautiful," he whispered, astonished and baffled by its presence within him.


    But soon his wonder soured into frustration. "Just what the hell is going on?" he groaned. If only he had a teacher or the backing of a cultivation clan, he might realize how blessed he truly was.


    "Forget it," Xue San grumbled. "I''ll deal with it later." Ignoring the token, he focused on cultivating the Shadow Veil Art. Within five days, he had mastered its initial form. He could not yet become invisible to the naked eye, but he could disguise his spiritual sense and cultivation base well enough.


    Relieved, he turned his attention to the Qi Gathering Pills, planning his future growth. He decided to save the Poor and Low-Grade pills for future trade; he needed gold, after all. Four more days passed as he used the Mid and High-Grade pills to advance to the 6th Stage of Qi Gathering. However, the cost was steep: all his Mid-Grade pills and six High-Grade pills had been consumed in the effort.


    "How many pills will I need if I keep going like this?" he lamented. His heart was heavy with both accomplishment and worry, uncertain of what awaited him next.


    "I should complete the sect''s mission and return," Xue San thought. "But first, I should explore this city properly." Despite his recent transformation into a colder, more indifferent person¡ªchanges that had come about in an alarmingly short time¡ªhe still retained a boyish curiosity that burned bright whenever he encountered something new.


    With that spark leading him on, Xue San wandered through the city''s avenues and alleyways, eager to discover its secrets. He spent the day drifting from busy markets to dimly lit side streets, from renowned restaurants to hidden tea houses and humble roadside stalls. No corner escaped his gaze. He did not forget his family, either. For his sisters and mother, he selected beautiful dresses that shimmered like moonlight on water. For his father, he chose a fine hunting bow crafted from the tendon of a Moon-Shadow wolf, a one-star magical beast. Though it was not cheap, he knew they would cherish these gifts when he finally met them again.


    By the time he returned to the inn, dusk had spread its gentle hues across the sky. He climbed the stairs to his room, intending to rest before setting out to find the spirit ginseng the next day. Yet, upon entering, he froze. A letter lay waiting on his bed. How had it gotten there? His room was protected by a formation key that only he possessed¡ªan arrangement that even the inn''s master could not override.


    If the master himself hadn''t placed it there, then this was trouble indeed. Running an inn of this caliber required cultivation at least at the mid-stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, making the proprietor no ordinary figure. For someone to bypass such safeguards and slip in unnoticed, they would have to be powerful enough to erase Xue San as easily as snuffing out a candle.


    A chill crept across his skin. He opened the letter carefully, feeling as though unseen eyes studied him from the shadows. The note read:


    "Greetings, young friend. We invite you to a private gathering, where we will discuss the possibility of you joining the Blood Moon Guild as a Surface-Level member. If you are interested, please come to the abandoned building behind the Singing Sparrow Wine House at midnight tomorrow. At that time, we will explain everything. Following our discussion, there will be a small exchange event featuring information and resources for sale. Rest assured: your anonymity and safety are fully guaranteed by the Blood Moon Guild during the proceedings. However, be warned¡ªshould you attempt to disclose this meeting to anyone, you will be eliminated."


    Xue San lowered the letter, his mind racing. This Blood Moon Guild could penetrate layers of protective formations and slip past a seasoned innkeeper''s defenses without raising so much as a whisper. They were clearly no ordinary organization. Yet, he found himself intrigued by the promise of an exchange event, especially the chance to acquire valuable information. With such formidable backers guaranteeing his safety, what reason did he have to refuse?


    He considered for a long moment, then put the letter in his ring.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 23: The Blood Moon Guild

    Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 23: The Blood Moon Guild


    "Greetings, young friend. We invite you to a private gathering, where we will discuss the possibility of you joining the Blood Moon Guild as a Surface-Level member. If you are interested, please come to the abandoned building behind the Singing Sparrow Wine House at midnight tomorrow. At that time, we will explain everything. Following our discussion, there will be a small exchange event featuring information and resources for sale. Rest assured: your anonymity and safety are fully guaranteed by the Blood Moon Guild during the proceedings. However, be warned¡ªshould you attempt to disclose this meeting to anyone, you will be eliminated."


    Xue San lowered the letter, his mind racing. This Blood Moon Guild could penetrate layers of protective formations and slip past a seasoned innkeeper''s defenses without raising so much as a whisper. They were clearly no ordinary organization. Yet, he found himself intrigued by the promise of an exchange event, especially the chance to acquire valuable information. With such formidable backers guaranteeing his safety, what reason did he have to refuse?


    He considered for a long moment, then put the letter in his ring.


    Xue San donned a set of black robes before setting out toward the meeting place specified in the mysterious letter. The abandoned building he found there was wholly unremarkable¡ªa typical two-story structure, weathered and boarded over, its windows barricaded with rough-hewn planks. Nothing about it hinted at the power or influence of the force that had summoned him.


    Unsure how to proceed, Xue San glanced around. Suddenly, a voice resonated inside his mind: "Show me the letter." Startled, he complied, holding the letter out in front of him. To his astonishment, it slipped from his grip and began to hover, then caught fire. The flames burned clean and bright, and after a few seconds, the smoke and embers turned a vivid crimson.


    "Verification complete," said the voice. "The invitation is authentic. Take this mask." From the empty air, a white mask appeared. Its surface was utterly plain save for two thin slits at eye level. "This will protect your identity," the voice continued, "blurring your features and obscuring your voice, even from the spiritual senses of a Peak Foundation Establishment expert. With it, not even those within the Blood Moon Guild will know who you are. Go inside, descend to the basement, and wait there quietly until everyone arrives."


    Xue San bowed, clasping his hands. "Thank you, Senior." He was already deeply impressed by the guild''s methods. If they could provide such extraordinary magical artifacts to everyone who joined their ranks, then their power and influence must rival that of the three great sects and the royal family itself.


    Following the instructions, he entered the building and made his way down to the basement. Five other figures were already there, each wearing a mask identical to his own. They waited in a silence thick with tension. It did not last long. Within minutes, a sixth figure arrived, and that same disembodied voice echoed once more: "You will now be transported to the meeting place."


    Before Xue San could fully register what was happening, a formation beneath their feet flared to life. A dazzling light flooded the basement, and in an instant, he felt a wrenching sensation as though the world had been spun like a top and then set right again. When he opened his eyes, they stood in a completely different chamber.


    "Small-scale teleportation formation" one of the masked figures murmured.


    This new space was carved from stone, with individual seats arranged in a neat semicircle. Trays of delicate refreshments¡ªfine wines and rare teas, fragrant pastries and savory treats¡ªwere laid out with exquisite care. The atmosphere hummed with an almost understated sophistication. At the center of it all, in a seat slightly elevated above the others, sat a heavyset man wearing the same style of mask. His, however, bore a single distinguishing mark: the number 76.


    "Welcome, welcome, young friends," he said, his tone genial. "I am the manager of this small branch of the Blood Moon Guild here in Darkwood City. I''ll be overseeing today''s gathering. Since you are all here, I''ll take it as a sign that you accept membership at the Surface Level of our guild. First, allow me to explain who we are, for the benefit of those less familiar."


    "Hmph," snorted one attendee, voice distorted by the mask''s magic so thoroughly that Xue San could not discern gender, age, or temperament. "What cultivator wouldn''t know the Blood Moon Guild?"


    Instantly, the genial man''s tone cooled until it resembled a blade drawn across ice. "When I speak, you will listen. Understood?" Although Xue San could not see the offender''s face, he saw the figure shrink back in visible fear.


    "Now then," the masked leader resumed, his warmth returning as swiftly as it had vanished, "let''s continue. I trust there will be no further interruptions." He paused, letting the tension settle. "Our Blood Moon Guild was founded a century after the establishment of the Soul Saint Kingdom by one of the era''s greatest assassins, Blood Moon herself. Over the years, we have broadened our operations beyond mere assassinations. As Surface Level members, your duties are simple. We ask only that you provide useful information from time to time. You have the right to refuse any assassination request that doesn''t carry the official seal of the Guild Master. In exchange, while you won''t be rewarded directly for the information you share, you''ll gain access¡ªat a generous discount¡ªto the guild''s extensive archives of knowledge and resources."


    Xue San raised a hand. The manager inclined his head. "Yes?"


    "What sort of information would you have us gather, and how will we submit it?"


    "That is quite simple," the manager replied. "Each mask is inscribed with a special formation. Once a month, you will receive a message detailing the topics of interest to the guild. All you need to do is report any rumors, facts, or insights you''ve encountered regarding those topics. The mask will handle the rest."You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    "Thank you, Senior," said Xue San.


    "Also," the manager continued, "each month we hold a small gathering like this one where Surface Level members can trade goods and information." He paused for a momment to let the information sink in and then continued. "As a reward for joining, each of you may ask one question now¡ªfree of charge. The only catch is that everyone present will hear the answer."


    Xue San''s heart sank. He''d hoped to ask about Long Huo''s motives for going after him, but doing so in public risked exposing his identity. He hesitated as another member seized the opportunity.


    "I would like to know," they asked, voice still indistinct, "who last hired Blood-Axe for a mission."


    The manager fell silent for a thoughtful moment. "According to our information, the bandit known as Blood-Axe perished some time ago. The last client who employed him was a female disciple of the Soaring Sword Sect. Unfortunately, we do not have a name."


    Xue San was momentarily stunned by the question, and his mind began racing. Why would anyone ask about Blood-Axe? he wondered. There are only two possibilities: either this person wants information to avenge Blood-Axe, or they were the one Blood-Axe targeted. And his last target was none other than Senior Sister Meng Xi. He considered the likelihood of someone seeking revenge for Blood-Axe and found it slim. Far more likely, this person was trying to identify who had hired her would-be killer, in other words Meng Xi.


    The others in the gathering did not seem as concerned about the answer as Xue San was. They were still lost in thought, contemplating their next questions, then Xue San raised his hand once more.


    "Senior, I would like to know: what is all the commotion in Darkwood City about?"


    Perhaps there was a detail he''d missed during his escape. By asking this, he could glean useful information without revealing his own identity¡ªunlike Meng Xi, who had been too careless.


    The fat man waited for a time, then spoke. "I can provide only a very basic answer, as this is high-tier information¡­"


    Xue San felt a pang of disappointment, but the man''s next words startled him:


    "¡­If all of you want the same information, you must forfeit your chance to ask further questions and pay one High-Grade Qi Gathering Pill each."


    One of the attendees couldn''t help but ask, "Is this information really that valuable?"


    The fat man smiled. "If you can make proper use of it, there''s at least a sixty percent chance you could become an Alchemist. Even if not, you''ll be able to defeat those of the same cultivation stage with ease."


    This revelation set everyone''s hearts pounding wildly. A godly opportunity! they all thought. All except Xue San¡ªhis thoughts ran along a different track.


    I can become an Alchemist.


    "Senior, I agree," someone called out.


    "Senior, count me in," another chimed.


    One by one, all the attendees agreed to the fat man''s conditions.


    "Very well," said the fat man. "But this information cannot be shared. If you dare to do so, the consequences will be more than you can bear."


    "Yes, Senior."


    "Of course, Senior."


    They all reassured him of their discretion.


    "A few days ago," the fat man began, "the direct descendant of the Dan Clan¡ªthe very clan that founded the Spirit Cauldron Sect¡ªarrived in Darkwood City. She came here in order to complete the last step of a forbidden pill: the legendary Evil Kinblood Ghostfire Pill. This is a pill that grants the user continuous boosts to their spiritual sense as they cultivate, effectively aiding them forever. But the cost of concocting it is beyond monstrous, staining the soul of the one who dared create it. Even so, she dared to do it. After that, the young lady from the Dan Clan had to flee her sect to complete it. The Spirit Cauldron Sect''s Enforcement Hall dispatched its Blood Division after her, but she evaded them for almost a year. They finally were able to track her here. Now, here is the truly interesting part," the fat man said with a wide grin, "apparently the young lady is already dead¡ªand a third party was involved. It seems this unknown individual stumbled upon her at a critical moment as she preparing the final "ingredients". If you find this person, you could obtain Dan Qing spatial ring, which contains a jade slip crafted by an elder of the Dan clan with pill recipes, a powerful spiritual sense cultivation method and finally the Evil Kinblood Ghostfire Pill and its recipe."


    "But, Senior," asked one participant, "wouldn''t this person have simply taken the Evil Kinblood Ghostfire Pill already?"


    "You must be at least at the Foundation Establishment stage to benefit from it," the fat man explained. "Taking it earlier would do nothing. Thus, if you find this person, your gains will be astronomical. Even without the pill, the Dan Clan''s recipes alone are worth a fortune. This individual also seems to possess a peculiar bloodline, one that will prevent him from ever reaching the Foundation Establishment stage."


    "Senior, are there any more details about this person?" It was Xue San who asked this time.


    "Unfortunately, we know very little. We believe it''s a young man, no older than twenty, at most in the 8th or 9th stage of the Qi Condensation Realm."


    Hearing this, the crowd grew excited at the prospect, except for Xue San, who remained silent and troubled.


    "Senior, is there any other clue we could use?" asked the person Xue San suspected to be Meng Xi. "With only these details, it''d be nearly impossible to find him."


    "There is one more lead," the fat man said. "We''re not entirely certain, but we have about a ninety percent confidence that this person is proficient in using the Hundred Phantom Hands art."


    A few people still had more questions, but the fat man dismissed them. "That''s all the information the guild has."


    He then addressed everyone. "Now, my friends, you''re free to exchange resources among yourselves."


    At that, a person stepped forward to request rare medicinal herbs. Xue San, however, paid little attention. His heart thundered in his chest, and he marveled that it hadn''t burst through his ribcage.


    How¡­ how can they know so much? It''s as if they were watching me the whole time. The world of cultivators truly holds infinite means. I must leave as soon as possible. At least in the sect, they won''t try to kill me outright. Long Huo might have someone rough me up, but that''s manageable.


    Having made up his mind, Xue San saw that the person requesting the medicinal herbs had completed their exchange. He stepped forward next.


    "I need three Spirit Ginsengs. I''ll offer six Low-Grade Qi Gathering Pills," he said.


    A bulky fellow rose. "I accept the trade."


    After a few more exchanges, the gathering drew to a close.


    "Once again, welcome to the Blood Moon Guild," the fat man said. "Now that the gathering is over, you will all be sent to random locations outside the city. Don''t worry¡ªyou won''t be near one another. Anonymity is our most prized characteristic." He ended with a smile.


    Moments after Xue San and the others were transported out, the room fell silent.


    "Master 76, why share the information about the Evil Kinblood Ghostfire Pill?" asked a figure who seemed to emerge from the shadows.


    "I suspect one of them might be responsible for what happened," said the fat man. "They are all individuals of good talent or background, so there''s a chance one may give us a clue. Especially those two who can use the Hundred Phantom Hands."


    "Then why not just kill them and search their souls?" the other man suggested.


    "The odds that one of them is the culprit are minimal; it''s just a hunch I have" Master 76 replied, "and one of them is well-positioned within the royal clan. The risks outweigh the benefits. I''ll have someone keep watch on those two until they return to their respective forces. If, by chance, one of them holds Dan Qing''s ring, then we will strike."

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 24: She鈥檇 Received What She Deserved

    Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 24: She¡¯d Received What She Deserved


    "Master 76, why share the information about the Evil Kinblood Ghostfire Pill?" asked a figure who seemed to emerge from the shadows.


    "I suspect one of them might be responsible for what happened," said the fat man. "They are all individuals of good talent or background, so there''s a chance one may give us a clue. Especially those two who can use the Hundred Phantom Hands."


    "Then why not just kill them and search their souls?" the other man suggested.


    "The odds that one of them is the culprit are minimal; it''s just a hunch I have" Master 76 replied, "and one of them is well-positioned within the royal clan. The risks outweigh the benefits. I''ll have someone keep watch on those two until they return to their respective forces. If, by chance, one of them holds Dan Qing''s ring, then we will strike."


    ----------------------------


    Xue San surveyed his surroundings and noticed Darkwood City about a mile away. "There''s no reason to linger here," he murmured. "I''ve already completed the sect mission. I need to hurry back."


    ----------------------------


    Not far from Xue San''s landing site stood another figure dressed in black robes and wearing the Blood Moon Guild''s distinctive mask. The figure was about to depart when it abruptly halted.


    "Hmph. So this is how your Darkmoon Guild conducts its business," the figure said, voice dripping with disdain. Turning sharply, he unleashed a beam of strange light in a specific direction.


    A grunt sounded in response, and a second person seemed to materialize out of the shadows.


    "W-wait, I can explain!" stammered the newcomer. Blood oozed from beneath his mask, which bore a faint blue tint¡ªproof of his genuine status in the Blood Moon Guild. "I was sent only to ensure no one was following you. Master Seventy-Six has taken a great interest in you."


    "So the entire guild already knows who I am?" The first figure''s voice was cold.


    Hearing that tone, the wounded man trembled. He had assumed tailing a mere peak Qi Condensation junior would be simple, but this "junior" possessed a technique that struck directly at the soul. "No¡ªonly the branch manager who recruited you knows the identities of new members. This is a rule implemented by the Guild Leader, so even he doesn''t know I¡ª"


    Before he could finish, another beam of light hit him. Like a puppet with its strings cut, he collapsed in a lifeless heap.


    Reaching down, the victor removed his own mask, revealing golden eyes that exuded purity and holiness, a prominent chin, and a sharp nose. "So only that one knows my identity. Good. The Blood Moon Guild will be extremely useful in my plan to seize the throne."


    This man was none other than the third prince of the Soul Saint Kingdom¡ªLing Qi, a figure well known throughout the realm.


    Unlike the third prince, Xue San did not bother checking if he was being followed. Still, whether by luck or instinct, he resisted any urge to open his spatial ring. He simply sped toward the nearest town, intending to hire a carriage for the rest of his journey.


    As he traveled, he resolved to devote his spare time to perfecting the Shadow Veil Technique and advancing his cultivation.


    ----------------------------


    "Master 76, one of our men who went to tail them is dead. How should we proceed?"


    "Already? Impressive," Master 76 remarked, his voice carrying a note of intrigue rather than concern. "Tell the other one to keep his distance and continue tracking him." He showed no sign of care that one of his subordinates had just perished.


    ----------------------------


    While Xue San was away, life in the Soaring Sword Sect continued its steady march forward.


    Deep beneath a manor in the sect''s core region lay a specially designed cultivation chamber. Intricate arrays etched into the walls heightened the density of spiritual energy to five times that of the outside world. At first glance, fivefold might not seem impressive, especially given the rare materials used to build the array. But one had to remember that the ambient spiritual energy in the core region was already staggeringly high. Multiplying that baseline by five made cultivating here tantamount to giving wings to a tiger.


    Seated in the center of the chamber was Long Huo, legs folded beneath her. As she exhaled, a vortex of air swirled past her lips.


    "This place is incredible," she murmured. "It''s only been a week, and I''ve already reached the peak of the ninth layer of Qi Condensation. At this rate, I''ll break into the Foundation Establishment realm in half a year¡ªmaybe even sooner if I can get my hands on a Foundation Establishment Pill. But that bastard insists on keeping me from obtaining one."


    A sudden glow lit her disciple token. "Hmm, a message?" she said, pressing the token to her forehead. "It''s from Lan Shui. So the mission failed. Hah, that bastard Fang Wei! Not only does he keep me from receiving the resources that are rightfully mine, but now he dares to sully my name, and even use that old bastard to try and get ride of me."


    She let the token drop into her lap, annoyance etched on her face. Life as a core disciple was far from the paradise everyone assumed.


    Indeed, the Soaring Sword Sect was powerful¡ªrenowned, even¡ªbut after centuries of prominence, it had begun to rot from within. Overly complicated teaching methods favored scions of established cultivation families, and rampant nepotism had infested the sect''s inner workings. In the last few hundred years, nearly every core disciple hailed from one of the great sect clans.


    Yan Yi had broken that long-standing pattern, but only thanks to being Grand Master Chu Feng''s disciple. Now that tradition was being toppled again¡ªostensibly through Grand Master Chu Feng''s influence¡ªyet Long Huo, unlike Yan Yi, had no powerful backer to shield her. Even those few members of the Long Clan who held minor positions in the sect remained silent, afraid of drawing the ire of the more influential core disciples.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Recruiting talent from outside had also been a recent initiative. For the handful of recruits who managed to ascend to the inner sect, any ambition to claim genuine power required affiliating themselves with one of the sect''s core forces. This problematic system was an open secret in the cultivation world, and the other two dominant sects regarded the Soaring Sword Sect with silent disdain, dismissing its outward reputation. Were it not for the covert support of the royal clan, the Soaring Sword Sect would likely have been stamped out long ago.


    The War God Sect, in particular, scorned such nepotism. They honored raw talent above all else, and their educational methods were second to none. Their current sect head had risen from the humblest of origins, only to climb quickly through the ranks due to his exceptional ability and the War God Sect''s open-minded teachings.


    Long Huo understood her presence as a newly promoted core disciple would provoke hostility, yet she endured it for the sake of her ambition. She knew better than anyone else that once she advanced to the Foundation Establishment, no one from the core disciples would have the power to stop her. Eventually, the Soaring Sword Sect would turn into her family''s personal domain.


    Her talent could have earned her a position in either of the other great sects¡ªboth of which continually refined and modernized themselves¡ªbut the Soaring Sword Sect, stagnant and complacent, seemed far easier to swallow. Deep down, she knew these so-called elites cared only for personal gain.


    "Just wait, Fang Wei," she hissed under her breath. "I''ll claim the Soaring Sword Sect first, and then I''ll make sure your Fang Clan is torn to pieces. One whiff of your clan as a prize, and the sect''s powers will rip you apart."


    Her clan''s plan to seize the Soaring Sword Sect had begun long before her birth, but she was the final key that would put it into motion. With a cool smile, she steadied her thoughts, closed her eyes, and returned to cultivating.


    ----------------------------


    As Xue San made his way back, he made little headway with either the Shadow Veil Technique or his cultivation. He wasn''t sure why the Shadow Veil Technique was proving so difficult, but he had a better idea why his cultivation wasn''t improving: even though his talent had soared, his cultivation method was woefully inadequate. It was like having a carriage carved from gold and jade¡ªonly to hitch it to a donkey.


    "I need a better cultivation technique," he muttered. "But relying on the sect is out of the question."


    After mulling it over, Xue San devised a plan. "First, I''ll return and report that I''ve completed the mission. Rather than spending my points on lessons, I''ll check the prices of pill ingredients. Then I''ll attempt pill concoction. If I succeed, I can sell the pills at auction and possibly afford a superior cultivation manual."


    He reached for his spatial ring to review the pill formulas but hesitated. His thoughts flitted back to the fat man from the Blood Moon Guild.


    "I''ll wait until I''m inside the sect¡ªwho knows who might be watching out here?" As if on cue, unbeknownst to him, Master 76''s spy was still trailing him, even though the sect lay only a few day''s journey ahead.


    "I wonder how everyone is doing," Xue San murmured, thinking of his family in Dragon Fort City. "Maybe I can pick up a mission near there."


    Homesickness wasn''t his only motive. He also wanted to test whether he could unveil the blank pages of that mysterious book the old man had given him by using his spiritual power. Xue San was no longer as na?ve as before. He knew that anyone who could fly had to be at least at the Core Formation stage¡ªand that old man was certainly beyond that, given how the young woman by his side had also been flying.


    "Maybe he didn''t cheat me. Perhaps there are genuine secrets hidden in that book."


    He had lingering questions, too. The jade slip he owned didn''t say a word about innate constitutions like the book did; it only described how to use one''s spiritual sense and Qi to concoct pills through the runes on a cauldron. His curiosity flared once more.


    "Yes," he said to himself, "I''ll take another mission in Dragon Fort City. I miss my family, and it''ll be a good chance to see how they''re doing. Who knows¡ªmaybe they''ve patched things up with my older brother by now."


    A sudden thought struck him. "Oh, right. Fluffy. If he''s still there when I get back to the sect, maybe I can bring him home as a gift for Xue Si. He''s still a pup, so if he grows up viewing her as his pack, he''ll never harm her."


    Xue San''s father had once explained how one of his friends had found a wolf cub and given it to his child. Worried the wolf might turn on the boy, Xue San had asked his father about it, but his father reassured him that a wolf raised from infancy among humans would be as loyal and docile as any dog.


    "Yes," Xue San decided, nodding to himself. "That''s exactly what I''ll do."


    ----------------------------


    With a firm plan in mind, Xue San felt a new calm. For the rest of his journey, he decided simply to enjoy the scenery. After all he had endured, he felt weighed down, as if a heavy stone pressed against his chest.


    He no longer felt the same pangs of guilt about his recent actions¡ªyes, he had killed again, and in a particularly brutal manner. But what other choice did he have? Let that vile woman take his life? If he was brutally honest, a part of him believed she''d received what she deserved. During his travels a few days earlier, he''d experienced another flash of memories, much like his vision of Bear-Axe''s past. This time, however, the images came from Dan Qing, as though he''d witnessed what she had witnessed in her final moments before death.


    Dan Qing had been born into an extraordinary clan. Her mother was the wife of the current Spirit Cauldron Sect Master, and Dan Qing herself displayed remarkable talent in alchemy¡ªso much so that everyone believed she was destined to become the next sect leader.


    But all that changed when her father introduced a twelve-year-old girl into the sect. That girl, was Dan Qing''s half-sister from a mistress who wasn''t even a cultivator, possessed monstrous talent. Within two years, she''d caught up to Dan Qing''s skill level; in another year, she completely overshadowed her. Although the Spirit Cauldron Sect wasn''t as rotten as the Soaring Sword Sect, it still held firm to one tradition: the sect master had to be a direct descendant of the Dan clan. Seeing everyone support this "filthy half-breed" as the most gifted talent to emerge in millennia drove Dan Qing to madness.


    Desperate, Dan Qing committed one of the worst taboos in the Spirit Cauldron Sect: she attempted to concoct the Evil Kinblood Ghostfire Pill. At first, she succeeded in killing two of her cousins for the ingredients. But for the third, she targeted the very half-sister who had "ruined" her life. That choice proved her downfall. She failed in the act and was caught by one of her father''s elite guards, assigned to protect her half-sibling. Her furious father would have executed her then and there, but her mother intervened, vowing to kill herself if he killed Dan Qing. Her father loved her mother dearly so he spared her.


    Her mother''s devotion, however, couldn''t quell Dan Qing''s torment. Seeing her father''s cold, merciless gaze pushed her to commit an even more appalling act. Late one night, while her mother slept, Dan Qing plunged a dagger into the woman who loved her more than life itself, completing the Evil Kinblood Ghostfire Pill "core material". Gazing into Dan Qing''s face¡ªtwisted with rage, despair, and madness¡ªher mother simply reached up to touch her daughter''s cheek and whispered, "It''s all right. Mother forgives you¡­"


    Dan Qing then fled the sect, knowing her father would subject her to unspeakable tortures if she were caught. Yet she was determined to finish refining that vile pill and, one day, return to annihilate the sect that she believed, in her own twisted way, had wronged her.


    Xue San couldn''t tell if the heaviness he felt came from Dan Qing''s memories or something else entirely. But he did know he faced another mystery: how to harness this strange ability that allowed him to witness the memories of those he killed. Did death have to be the trigger? Or was there another way to control it?


    He sighed. "There''s so much to do¡­ but for now, I''ll stick to my plan."

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 25: Alchemy

    Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 25: Alchemy


    Xue San couldn''t tell if the heaviness he felt came from Dan Qing''s memories or something else entirely. But he did know he faced another mystery: how to harness this strange ability that allowed him to witness the memories of those he killed. Did death have to be the trigger? Or was there another way to control it?


    He sighed. "There''s so much to do¡­ but for now, I''ll stick to my plan."


    After several days of travel, Xue San finally arrived at the sect. Clad in his outer disciple''s robe, he completed the routine check-ins before officially setting foot inside.


    His first stop was the Minor Dragon Hall to claim his rewards for completing the mission, after which he inquired about where he could exchange his contribution points for alchemy ingredients.


    The disciple behind the counter gave Xue San a curious look but promptly informed him that such exchanges took place at the Alchemy Division. Evidently, the disciple assumed Xue San was yet another aspirant eager to become an alchemist.


    Xue San, however, was thrilled at the sheer number of contribution points he had accumulated¡ª600 from the two missions, plus the additional 15%, and another 110 for the weeks he had spent outside the sect. Altogether, that brought his total to 800 contribution points.


    "The raw ingredients for pills are usually far cheaper than the finished products," he mused, recalling that only the rarest medicinal herbs commanded extraordinarily high prices. "With this many contribution points, I can afford to practice concocting pills quite a bit."


    It took him no time at all to reach the Alchemy Division of the Soaring Sword Sect. Unlike many other sect divisions, the Alchemy Pavilion wasn''t subdivided into separate areas for outer, inner, or core disciples. Anyone with the means to purchase pills or ingredients could do so with relative ease.


    Then, he saw it: the Alchemy Division''s pavilion¡ªa three-tiered structure build from polished gray stone and gold "How extravagant he mused". Its sweeping eaves curved skyward, crowned by delicate spires inlaid with softly glowing crystals. Arcane symbols etched into each archway pulsed with subdued power. Inside, corridors led to various halls illuminated by flickering sconces, their light dancing across mosaic floors. A faint aroma of rare herbs and simmering ingredients hung in the air, heralding the sect''s mastery of pill-making.


    Taking in the sight for only a moment, Xue San quickened his pace. Within, the layout resembled that of the Minor Dragon Hall, except instead of choosing missions, one selected pills or raw ingredients to buy. Only a few disciples were assigned to guide newcomers, like Xue San.


    "Good morning, Senior Brother," Xue San greeted, approaching a boy wearing the same robes¡ªthough this young man''s robes bore the Alchemy Division''s insignia rather than the outer sword emblem.


    "You take your token to one of the free formations," the boy droned, clearly repeating a script he had recited countless times. "From there, you can browse the available items. The more points and resources you spend, the higher your privileges. That means more pills, ingredients, and formulas you can access."


    Momentarily stunned by the boy''s mechanical response, Xue San thanked him and went in search of ingredients for the Qi Replenishing Pill¡ªone of the most common pills, often used as a substitute currency in numerous transactions.


    After all, a cultivator can never have too many pills. Although the ingredients for Qi Replenishing Pills were relatively common, there weren''t enough alchemists to produce them in large quantities, driving the pill''s price skyward. This reality didn''t bother Xue San in the slightest; he knew that if he succeeded in concocting pills, he too would benefit from their high market value.


    He placed his token on the formation and watched as a phantom-like screen materialized before his eyes. It displayed his personal information, then a prompt appeared:


    "Access to first-tier ingredients and products. See list?"


    Thinking "See list," Xue San triggered a new menu offering options: Lessons, Pills, Ingredients, and Recipes. Other categories appeared blurry, and he paid them no heed. Selecting Ingredients, he located the five necessary components for the Qi Replenishing Pill: Jadegrass Sprout, Mist Lotus Petal, Cloudberry Seed, Ironstem Reed, and Smoldering Fungus.


    Jadegrass Sprout ¨C A vibrant, emerald-green herb found in sunlit clearings. Its soft leaves contain a gentle yet steady Qi that helps stabilize a cultivator''s energy flow. Mist Lotus Petal ¨C A pale-blue petal that grows near shallow ponds, releasing a refreshing aura that promotes faster Qi circulation and mental clarity. Cloudberry Seed ¨C Small seeds harvested from the Cloudberry fruit, adept at absorbing ambient Qi, making them perfect for cultivators who seek to enhance their spiritual energy absorption. Ironstem Reed ¨C A slender, resilient reed whose fibrous stalk fortifies the body, helping retain newly gathered Qi more efficiently. Smoldering Fungus ¨C A faintly warm, reddish mushroom that kindles a steady inner heat, enhancing Qi refinement without overwhelming beginners.


    Xue San discovered that these ingredients were sold in stacks of ten. According to the jade slip he had found, he could practice at least twice per stack. Surprisingly, the prices were not as high as he had expected¡ªso long as one used contribution points.


    "Why do prices increase so much when paying with gold coins or pills?" he wondered. Then a thought crossed his mind: "Perhaps it''s how the sect incentivizes disciples to delve into alchemy. Either way, it hardly matters to me."


    He decided to purchase two stacks of each ingredient, at a total cost of 760 contribution points. The most expensive items were the Jadegrass Sprout and the Mist Lotus Petal, each stack costing 100 points, while Smoldering Fungus was the cheapest at 40 points for 25 grams (0.5 kg / 2.2 lb).


    A message then flashed across the screen:


    "Transaction Completed. Would you like to receive the ingredients at your residence or take them now?"


    "Now¡ªtake them now!" Xue San nearly shouted upon seeing the prompt. Although he was capable of defending himself, he was not prepared to handle any members of the Long clan who might interfere.


    "Please go to Counter No. 16, your ingredients will be ready in about ten to fifteen minutes." then the screen disappeared. When Xue San finally emerged from the Alchemy Pavilion, his arms laden with bags of medicinal ingredients, he cut an almost comical figure. Nevertheless, he couldn''t risk revealing his storage ring in such a public space¡ªwho knew if someone like Senior Brother Fang''s uncle might be watching? His best course of action was to wait until he was safely back in the forest.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    He had plenty to do for now¡ª so for now he will focus only on, attempting to concoct his first batch of pills.


    Many disciples pointed and laughed when they saw Xue San carrying so many boxes, but he paid them no mind. He hurried back to his humble corner in the forest.


    Before he could even sigh with relief at finally being "home," a small bark rang out, and a silver blur flew at him.


    "Haha, Fluffy, you were actually waiting for me!" Xue San exclaimed with a hearty laugh, dropping his boxes full of medicinal plants to embrace the wolf cub.


    Although some time had passed since Xue San had last seen him, the little wolf hadn''t grown much; he still had the same adorably small face. Grumbling in protest, he seemed to be scolding Xue San for leaving him alone for so long.


    "All right, all right, I understand," Xue San said, patting the cub''s head. "Let''s get something to eat first. What do you say?"


    The silver wolf cub hopped down and scampered in circles around Xue San, as if voicing its agreement.


    After roasting a few rabbits for their meal, Xue San cautiously scanned the area with his spiritual sense. Aside from a few birds and bugs, there was no one else around as far as he could tell "Wait a minute, my spiritual sense, what, what happened?"


    To his surprise, Xue San discovered that his spiritual sense¡ªpreviously able to extend to 150 feet (about 45 meters)¡ªcould now reach 200 feet (60 meters). "Why do such strange things keep happening to me?" he muttered, his voice tinged with equal parts fear and confusion.


    First, there was his unnaturally high talent. Then, his spiritual sense inexplicably grew stronger. On top of that, the strange emblem hovering near his core continued to defy explanation. So many oddities, yet he had no one he trusted enough to confide in. Not even his own family could shed light on this mystery. Xue San certainly didn''t consider himself any kind of "chosen one." There had to be a rational reason behind it all.


    His father''s words came to mind, recalling a conversation from many years ago, when his brother Xue Yi visited. At the time, Xue Yi boasted about the incredible luck he''d had doing business, and his father responded with a story that now seemed eerily relevant:


    "Xue Yi, imagine you''re walking through a dense forest when you stumble upon a loaf of fresh bread on the ground. That''s a rare find¡ªlucky, right? You pick it up, eat a few bites, and feel grateful. A few steps later, you see another loaf, still warm, and you think, ''Wow, this must be my lucky day!''


    But then you spot a third loaf not too far away, and beyond that, an entire mound of bread. Suddenly, it dawns on you: bread doesn''t just magically appear in the middle of a forest. If someone has left a trail of it¡ªespecially a whole heap waiting for you¡ªmaybe they''re not simply being generous. They could be luring you deeper along a path you''re not meant to leave.


    At first, finding a single treasure feels like fortune smiling upon you. But when these windfalls keep coming one after another¡ªeach one bigger than the last¡ªit''s time to get suspicious. Good luck usually arrives in small bursts; if it pours in endlessly, you have to ask yourself who''s behind it¡ªand what they want in return."


    Xue San couldn''t be certain whether his father''s warning applied to his current situation, but it was true he''d been stumbling upon a lot of "bread" lately for no apparent reason. Letting out a weary sigh, he realized his mind was far too agitated to focus on alchemy. Concocting pills required immense concentration, and with so many unanswered questions swirling in his head, he stood no chance of succeeding.


    "Damn it," he grumbled in frustration. "The questions just keep piling up¡ªbut there aren''t any answers."


    The next day, Xue San awoke feeling well-rested and shared a simple breakfast with Fluffy before deciding it was finally time to begin his alchemy practice. He pulled out the storage ring from an inner pocket and slipped it onto his finger.


    He still had no real explanation for why his spiritual sense had expanded so drastically, but there seemed little point in dwelling on it. Sometimes, he told himself, certain mysteries had to remain unsolved for the time being.


    From within the ring, he retrieved his alchemy cauldron and the jade slip from the Dan clan¡ªthe one containing the recipes he needed. Clearing his mind, he refocused on the instructions for the Qi Replenishing Pill, ready to attempt his very first concoction


    Qi Replenishing Pill


    Heat Activation


    Use your spiritual sense to activate the cauldron''s Fire Rune, heating it to the proper temperature. Refine the Jadegrass Sprout, Cloudberry Seed, and Ironstem Reed under the cauldron''s fire energy until they become a fine powder.


    Mist Lotus Petal Refinement


    Once the initial ingredients are refined, add the Mist Lotus Petal. Use the cauldron''s Water Rune to gently control the fire energy output to refine the petals. The Lotus must remain largely intact but softened enough for the powder to blend with it.


    Critical Fire Control


    This is the most challenging step. The fire must be precisely controlled to allow the mixture to merge slowly. As the Mist Lotus Petal begins to turn into a paste, keep the flame steady¡ªif it''s too strong, everything will burn.


    Final Ingredient


    Add the Smoldering Fungus. Use the cauldron''s Wood energy to harmonize all the ingredients while maintaining the correct temperature with the Fire energy, ensuring the mixture melds together. And the water energy to purify the impurities from the pill.


    If executed correctly, this method will yield three high-grade Qi Replenishing Pills.


    Caution:


    Ensure your Qi and Spiritual Sense are sufficiently strong¡ªany interruption during any of the steps will adversely affect the pill''s final quality, and quantity


    Xue San took a steadying breath and began his very first attempt at pill concoction. Unfortunately, he pushed too much Qi into the Fire Rune, causing the cauldron to overheat in mere seconds. The Jadegrass Sprout scorched instantly, filling the air with harsh, bitter smoke. Overwhelmed, Xue San had no choice but to abandon the process.


    Determined to improve, he tried again. This time, he erred on the side of caution and used far too weak a flame. The Jadegrass Sprout and Ironstem Reed failed to refine fully into powder, leaving stubborn fragments that rendered the mixture unusable.


    Pressing on, Xue San moved to the next step but struggled to synchronize his fire and water energies. As a result, part of the Mist Lotus Petal burned while the rest remained tough. The powder and petal refused to blend, leading to another failure.


    "Damn it, this is harder than I imagined," he grumbled, frustrated.


    Had anyone witnessed his astonishing progress, they might have cursed him in envy. After all, in only a handful of tries, Xue San was already navigating advanced steps in the pill-refining process. Yet another burst of panic sabotaged his next attempt: he poured too much fire energy into the cauldron, and the mixture coagulated into a charred mess. Another batch wasted.


    ¡­ One failure after another¡­ Xue San spend the next few days like this.


    With supplies running low, Xue San had just enough ingredients left for two more tries. Exhaustion weighed on him after an entire day of effort.


    "Why is this so damn difficult?" he growled. "I''ll try again tomorrow. But if I fail again, where will I find more ingredients?"


    By the next morning, Xue San was recharged from a night of rest and cultivation. Proceeding more cautiously, he finally reached the last step of the process: using Wood energy to harmonize all the ingredients while keeping the temperature stable with Fire energy, and applying Water energy to purify impurities in the cauldron.


    His nerves prickled with anticipation. This was his first time incorporating Wood energy. As soon as he activated the corresponding rune, the strange token in his dantian stirred¡ªthough he remained unaware.


    "Huh? Why is Wood energy so easy to manage?" Xue San wondered. But there was no time to linger on that curiosity. He had to focus on balancing the cauldron''s Fire and Water energies.


    "Success!" he exclaimed moments later, his voice trembling with excitement. He had done it at last. Rather than the anticipated three high-grade pills, he ended up with four middle-grade ones¡ªbut he was more than satisfied with the outcome.


    Anyone witnessing this would have been speechless: a young cultivator who, in fewer than twenty attempts, successfully concocted four middle-grade Qi Replenishing Pills, all without a master''s guidance.


    Analyzing the pills they barely made it to the middle-grade, but they still were genuine middle-grade Qi Replenishing Pills


    "Well then," Xue San said, beaming at the freshly forged pills in his hand, "I might as well give it another go.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 26: Burning In Her Lower Body.

    Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 26: Burning In Her Lower Body.


    "Success!" he exclaimed moments later, his voice trembling with excitement. He had done it at last. Rather than the anticipated three high-grade pills, he ended up with four middle-grade ones¡ªbut he was more than satisfied with the outcome.


    Anyone witnessing this would have been speechless: a young cultivator who, in fewer than twenty attempts, successfully concocted four middle-grade Qi Replenishing Pills, all without a master''s guidance.


    Analyzing the pill they barely made to the mid-grade, but they still were genuine middle-grade Qi Replenishing Pills


    "Well then," Xue San said, beaming at the freshly forged pills in his hand, "I might as well give it another go."


    Xue San''s next concoction went noticeably better. Once again, four pills formed in the cauldron, but they boasted richer color, hinting at higher quality than his previous batch, but still at the middle-grade quality.


    "Hahaha!" A broad grin lit his face. He felt happier now than at any point since he''d begun cultivating¡ªhe had actually succeeded in refining pills. Though he wasn''t yet a true alchemist, he had undeniably taken a major step forward.


    "I''ve been holed up here concocting pills for over a week," he muttered. "What should I do next?"


    Before he could plan his next move, an odd fluctuation pulsed from his storage ring. Alarmed, he peered inside and saw the mask given to him by the Blood Moon Guild glowing with a soft light.


    Taking the mask out, he felt a rush of information flood his mind:


    "Find out what caused the phenomenon above the Soaring Sword Sect. Investigate the internal strife within the Fang clan. Uncover Grandmaster Chu Feng''s latest concoction. Discover why the kingdom''s third prince visited the Soaring Sword Sect. Rewards will be given according to the information you provide, but if the Guild already knows what you report, there will be no reward."


    "So these are the Blood Moon Guild''s requests," Xue San muttered. "How am I supposed to find out any of this? I can''t even live in the freaking house they assigned me. How do they expect me to dig up intel on such big matters?"


    Fortunately, as a surface member of the Guild, he wasn''t obliged to do anything unless a direct order came from the guild leader. Determined to ignore the mask''s summons for now, he tucked everything back into the storage ring. Then he decided to take a mission near Dragon Fort City¡ªhe could earn more contribution points, visit his family, and discreetly sell the pills he had successfully concocted.


    Weighing his options, Xue San figured it would be safer to sell his pills far from the sect. He couldn''t be completely certain someone inside the Soaring Sword Sect wouldn''t discover his secret. Far better to offload them somewhere less conspicuous.


    And so he decided to choose a mission near Dragon Fort City.


    "Little one, wait for me here. I''ll be back soon, and this time I promise to take you along," Xue San said, patting the wolf cub on the head.


    The little creature let out a soft bark, as if to say it understood.


    On his way to the Minor Dragon Pavilion, Xue San overheard disciples gossiping about the arrival of the third prince at the sect. He paid them no mind, assuming the Blood Moon Guild already possessed far more detailed information than any idle chatter he could find from asking around the sect.


    Inside the Minor Dragon Hall.


    "How can I help you?" asked the female disciple behind the counter. She gave Xue San a warm smile when she noticed his handsome features.


    "I''d like to see the One-Star and Two-Star missions," he said.


    "Junior Brother, you must be joking. There are thousands of missions in those categories."


    "Oh right, then could you just show me the ones near Dragon Fort City?"


    She glanced at him curiously. "Let me give you a piece of advice. Even if the rumors are true, a mere Qi Condensation disciple like you stands no chance of obtaining a True Flame. Even Grandmaster Chu Feng rushed to Dragon Fort City as soon as he caught wind of the rumor." She gave him a knowing smile.


    Stunned, Xue San stared back. "A True Flame? Rumors? I''m afraid I have no idea what you''re talking about."


    It was the disciple''s turn to look surprised. "Oh? Aren''t you just taking a mission so you can sneak off in search of this legendary True Flame that supposedly appeared near Dragon Fort City, like many others? It''s practically all anyone talked about before the third prince arrived yesterday." Her eyes sparkled when she mentioned the prince. "You''d have to be living under a rock¡ªor in a forest¡ªnot to have heard," she added pointedly.


    Xue San''s mouth twitched at her mention of living in a forest¡ªbecause he had, in fact, been living there. But he kept his irritation in check. "I truly have no clue about this True Flame. My family lives in Dragon Fort City, so I thought this would be a good chance to visit them."


    "I see," she replied doubtfully.


    Xue San''s patience began to fray. Why can''t she just do her job? he thought.


    "Very well," she said at last, scanning the missions. "There are twelve Two-Star missions and nine One-Star missions."


    Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    "Any involving the gathering of medicinal plants?" he asked.


    "No. But if you''re just looking for a simple errand as an excuse to visit your family, here''s one: bring five jugs of Dragon Breath Wine from Dragon Fort City."


    "Bring wine? Isn''t that a bit¡ª"


    She cut him off. "Yes, it sounds trivial, but it''s a request from an outer sect elder who loves wine. He regularly posts missions like this for different varieties. The pay isn''t bad for such an easy job, either¡ªthirty contribution points."


    "Fine. I''ll take it."


    After registering, Xue San left the Minor Dragon Hall to collect Fluffy.


    "Listen here, little fellow," he whispered as he slipped the cub into a bag, "you must be quiet, okay?"


    With that, he left the sect once more.


    Walking through the gates, Xue San couldn''t help smirking at this so-called ''great sect.'' He had gained far more by running missions outside than by spending time training here. It''s more like a mercenary guild than a sect, he thought scornfully. Perhaps things were better in the inner sect, but based on his own experience, the Soaring Sword Sect was¡­a huge disappointment. He wondered if the other two great sects operated the same way.


    Meanwhile, in Grandmaster Chu Feng''s study, a young man in his twenties¡ªremarkable only for his striking silver eyes¡ªsat calmly sipping tea. Next to him stood another youth, far less ordinary. He possessed a prominent chin, a sharp nose, and golden eyes that radiated a sense of sacredness, there seemed to be a royal aura around him.


    "As the sect leader already explained, Your Highness," said the silver-eyed man, "my master left just before you arrived. I''ve tried to summon him back, but he insists on verifying the rumors about the True Flame. If Your Majesty truly requires his assistance right away, he suggests you meet him in Dragon Fort City."


    "I was convinced your sect leader was simply hiding Grandmaster Chu Feng," replied the prince, "but if you say he''s not here, then I believe you. Very well. There''s no other choice¡ªI''ll go to Dragon Fort City."


    "If it pleases you, might I accompany you on your journey?" Yan Yi asked abruptly.


    The third prince hadn''t expected Yan Yi''s offer. Initially, he considered refusing but then seemed to have a change of heart. "The pleasure would be mine," he said. "I''d be glad for your company."


    "Shall we take the teleportation formation?" Yan Yi suggested. "That way, we can reach Dragon Fort City in just three days." After all, the higher-ranking members of the sect never bothered with carriages or other common means of travel, unlike their lower-ranking counterparts.


    Meanwhile, in the core area, Long Huo sat in the main seat while several disciples stood before her. Had Xue San been present, he would have recognized at least four of them: the Long trio who had bullied him, and the beautiful Lan Shui.


    "My grandfather sent me word not to concern myself with these rumors and to focus on my breakthrough. He''s sent me the Foundation Establishment Pill. None of these rumors have anything to do with us. Besides, with Grandmaster Chu Feng staying at our clan, no one will dare cause us trouble for the clan."


    "But, Young Miss," Long Shang ventured hesitantly, "shouldn''t we go back and offer our help?"


    Long Huo snorted with disdain. "What help can you possibly offer, you useless fool? I told you to get rid of that mortal quietly, yet I hear he''s still alive and kicking." She didn''t bother hiding the scorn in her voice.


    Long Shang''s face reddened at her scolding, but he remained silent. What could I say? he thought. That brat hasn''t set foot in the house lately. I tried using Meng Xi to kill him, and she wouldn''t act when I invoked her name. Just what kind of dogshit luck does that bastard have?


    She didn''t care much about Xue San, but the vulgar rumors still bothered her slightly


    "You may all leave," Long Huo commanded. "Lan Shui, stay."


    When everyone had gone, Long Huo dropped her frosty fa?ade. "Damn it¡ªhow did those rumors get out? My grandfather''s been planning this for ages, and the True Flame''s location was something our Long clan acquired through blood and sweat."


    Lan Shui stood quietly, waiting for Long Huo to finish venting. After a time, Long Huo''s temper cooled.


    0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000


    "Haaa¡­" Long Huo exhaled. "How is the progress on your end?"


    "It''s going quite well. The disciples from the outer sect are already fed up with this system¡ªboth the older ones and the newcomers. If they see a chance for real change, I''m sure they''ll support you."


    "Good. No wonder Grandfather chose the Soaring Sword Sect." Long Huo''s tone dripped with disdain. "This place is but a shell of its former glory. If not for the royal family''s backing, the other two great sects would have destroyed it long ago."


    "Young Miss," Lan Shui began carefully, "why do you even need the support of the outer faction? Once you reach the Foundation Establishment Realm, you can invoke the trial by combat rule, become the sect''s young leader, and eventually take over once you reach Core Formation. It''s true there are many disciples in the outer faction, but their cultivation bases¡­" She trailed off, though Long Huo understood the implication. "I just mean that, if the clans who control the sect feel threatened, they''ll certainly unite to crush any resistance from the outer faction."


    "Lan Shui, don''t you find the sect''s teaching system appallingly inefficient? And the Minor Dragon Hall? It''s basically functioning like a mercenary guild," Long Huo replied.


    "I noticed that the moment we arrived," Lan Shui admitted. "It''s strange, to say the least."


    "That''s not the only problem," Long Huo continued. "Isn''t it laughable that cultivation clans can simply buy spots for their members if they donate enough to the sect? It''s essentially selling disciple positions. That alone puts this sect behind the other two. Grandfather has been quietly supporting several elders from the outer faction for years, and they''re already on our side."


    "I see, Young Miss," Lan Shui said softly.


    "There are many talented individuals in the outer faction," Long Huo went on, "but they''re constantly stifled by the clans in control. If we nurture them properly, they''ll become a powerful force. Take the current sect master of the War God Sect¡ªimagine if we had someone of his caliber from the very beginning. Grandfather once told me that to rule, you need more than just personal power; you need capable people around you."


    "The Patriarch is indeed a wise man," Lan Shui agreed.


    "But if he''s made so many preparations already," she asked, "why do you need me to keep stirring up the outer sect disciples?" Lan Shui sounded genuinely puzzled. She was starting to suspect the Long Patriarch had laid more groundwork than she had realized.


    "Didn''t I tell you already?" Long Huo said, locking eyes with Lan Shui, her eyes, embodying otherworldly beauty, one a deep emerald green reminiscent of a lush forest and the other a striking blue mirroring the limitless sky. "To rule effectively, you need capable people around. This is your opportunity to show me how capable you really are, Lan Shui."


    Few people knew that the Lan Clan was in fact a distant branch of the Long Clan, cultivated in secret over many years. Lan Shui herself had no inkling of this truth, but Long Huo did¡ªand it only deepened her admiration for her grandfather''s genius. His ambitions reached far beyond the Soaring Sword Sect.


    Lan Shui''s heart fluttered under Long Huo''s steady gaze, but she quickly composed herself. "Yes, Young Miss¡ªanything for you!"


    "Oh? For me, not for the Long Clan?" Long Huo teased, a faint smile playing on her lips.


    "Yes! For you, Young Miss!" Lan Shui replied, unwavering.


    Long Huo''s eyes shone with satisfaction after hearing Land Shui unhesitating response. Leaning closer, she caught Lan Shui''s chin and pressed a passionate kiss to her lips. After a few moments, she released her.


    Lan Shui was panting heavily, her cheeks aflame.


    "How about you spend the night here?" Long Huo asked.


    "Yes, Young Miss," Lan Shui answered, her heart pounding and a familiar heat burning in her lower body.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 27: Arriving At Dragon Fort City! Again!

    Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 27: Arriving At Dragon Fort City! Again!


    Long Huo''s eyes shone with satisfaction. Leaning closer, she caught Lan Shui''s chin and pressed a passionate kiss to her lips. After a few moments, she released her.


    Lan Shui was panting heavily, her cheeks aflame.


    "How about you spend the night here?" Long Huo asked.


    "Yes, Young Miss," Lan Shui answered, her heart pounding, a familiar heat burning in her lower body.


    The hands of fate were once again moving in mysterious ways around Xue San, but he was unaware of any of this. He was just happy at the thought of seeing his family again after so much time.


    He decided to hire a carriage and travel alone this time. His last mission had left him weary of strangers¡ªeven those from his own sect.


    In every major city, one could find services offering everything from simple horse-drawn carts to fantastical conveyances pulled by flying beasts. Their prices, however, rarely fell within Xue San''s modest budget. After weighing his options, he chose to spend two Middle-Grade Qi Gathering Pills to hire a carriage pulled by Elephant-Horses. Despite their imposing name, these magical creatures were quite commonplace. They had six legs and required only two or three hours of sleep each night, ensuring significantly faster travel.


    Xue San concluded it was worth the cost to shorten his journey by a few days.


    Dragon Fort City, unlike many others, was ruled by the venerable Long Clan. This distinction had been conferred upon them centuries ago when hordes of beasts started descending from the Sleeping Giant Mountains, wreaking havoc on the surrounding territories. The Long Clan had consistently proven to be the strongest force in subduing these bestial tides, cementing their influence throughout the region.


    These days, the city bustled even more than usual, agitated by rumors of the mysterious True Flame.


    The True Flame was said to be a naturally occurring wonder gifted by the world itself¡ªthe purest essence of fire. Unlike other materials that could be used merely to forge magical artifacts or concoct pills, a True Flame¡ªonce refined¡ªwould grant its wielder immeasurable power. Little wonder, then, that cultivators far and wide had converged on Dragon Fort City in hopes of claiming it.


    "Grandmaster Chu Feng, my Long Clan will support you in any way you require," said Long Wei. "But as I''ve mentioned, these are only rumors. We have yet to uncover any solid proof of a True Flame residing near Dragon Fort City."


    "Humph. Only rumors, you say?" Grandmaster Chu Feng snorted. "What if I told you the Blood Moon Guild has confirmed there''s truth to this so-called ''rumor''?"


    "Damn this old man, poking his nose where it doesn''t belong," Long Wei muttered internally. Out loud, he replied, "Whether we have proof or not, please feel free to conduct your own investigation, Grandmaster. I will leave you to it."


    As Long Wei began to withdraw, Chu Feng added, "Oh, one more thing. My disciple will be arriving in a few days with a companion. Ensure they are well taken care of if I''m not here."


    "Of course," Long Wei said, inclining his head.


    "Humph! You old fox," Chu Feng muttered once Long Wei had gone. "You think you can deceive me by playing the dutiful host."


    Many other prominent figures arrived in Dragon Fort City, drawn by the rumors, but Long Wei deigned to meet only with Grandmaster Chu Feng. The rest he left to his clan elders. Still, he couldn''t fathom how word of the True Flame had leaked. He had invested considerable time in locating its whereabouts, for the flame was crucial to fulfilling his ambitions. Only the clan''s core members had known of it, all of whom had sworn unbreakable Dao Oaths to keep the secret.


    "It must be the Blood Moon Guild," Long Wei concluded. "But why would they reveal the news, and more importantly, how did they learn of it?"


    Xue San, meanwhile, remained blissfully unaware of the turbulent undercurrents swirling through Dragon Fort City. His journey had been pleasant thus far. The six-legged steeds provided a comfortable ride, allowing him to spend idle hours cultivating or refining his knowledge of the Qi Replenishing Pill concoction. He mentally reviewed the process repeatedly, searching for ways to improve.


    He also attempted to train in the Wood-King Body technique. But lacking any materials rich in wood-based spiritual energy, his efforts felt like trying to clean a greasy pan with more grease. Eventually, he resigned himself to waiting until proper resources became available.


    "Ah, if only I had a wealthy master who''d bestow everything I need," Xue San murmured wistfully.


    He hadn''t forgotten the strange defensive jade Dan Qing had used. After a week of trial and error, he finally managed to conjure a protective barrier similar to hers. Although it drained a considerable portion of his Qi and spiritual sense, the outcome was worth it¡ªhis shield seemed even sturdier than Dan Qing''s.


    What Xue San didn''t realize was that Dan Qing would never power the jade with her spiritual sense. She relied solely on the Qi within her body. Depleting one''s spiritual sense too quickly caused instant disorientation, a grave risk in battle. Yet Dan Qing''s spiritual sense was meager compared to Xue San''s.


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    On the sixteenth day of travel, he finally caught sight of the city walls¡ªmassive ramparts fashioned from a dark stone of unknown origin. Approaching the gate, he noticed the usual line of people waiting to enter. However, when the crowd saw the six-legged horses, they parted, allowing him to pass more swiftly.


    At the checkpoint, Xue San showed his disciple badge and was immediately granted entry.


    "This does have its perks," he mused.


    He proceeded to the local branch of the carriage rental company, returned both horses and the conveyance, and set off for his family home. With Fluffy fast asleep in his bag, he felt an unexpected knot of nerves in his stomach. How would his relatives see him now that he was a cultivator? More troublingly, how would they react to the fact that he had taken a life?


    His pace slowed as he mulled over these thoughts, worried about what his father might say if he confessed to killing someone.


    Distracted, Xue San nearly collided with a teenage boy stepping out of the house he had once called his own.


    "Who are you?" the boy demanded, eyeing him suspiciously.


    For a moment, Xue San felt disoriented. Perhaps this was a friend of his older sister.


    "This is my family''s house," he said, his voice tentative.


    The boy regarded him with a mixture of impatience and confusion. "Are you stupid or something? This is my family''s house."


    Xue San froze. Had he come to the wrong address? "Isn''t this where the Xue family lives?"


    "Why do you want to know?" the boy retorted.


    Irritation flashed in Xue San''s eyes, and the teenager must have sensed the pressure rolling off him. The boy took a step back, his voice trembling.


    "My family bought this place from the White Tiger Merchant Guild. I don''t know anything about the people who used to live here."


    A cold weight settled in Xue San''s chest. What had happened to his family? Panic welled up, threatening to overwhelm him. Unsure where to turn, he decided his best hope lay in finding Jin Fu, who might at least provide some answers.


    And so, burdened with anxious questions and a heart full of foreboding, Xue San set off into the city once more, determined to learn the fate of his family¡ªno matter the cost.


    Xue San wasn''t entirely sure where to find Jin Fu, so he rushed to the God Silk Palace in hopes of meeting him there. Upon locating the store, he introduced himself and inquired after Jin Fu.


    "I''m sorry, but Master Jin Fu isn''t here. He went out on business," one of the female attendants informed him.


    At a loss, Xue San decided his next stop would be the White Tiger Merchant Guild. After all, they had sold his family''s house¡ªthey ought to know something.


    "Wait a moment," the attendant suddenly said, then rushed upstairs. She returned with a note in hand.


    "Master Jin Fu asked me to give you this if you ever came looking for him when he wasn''t in the city," she explained, handing Xue San a letter.


    Opening it on the spot, Xue San read:


    Young Friend Xue San,


    If you''re reading this, it means I''m currently out of the city and you came looking for me because you can''t locate your family. Don''t worry¡ªI can help you. Due to certain problems involving your older brother, your family was forced to sell their house. They''ve moved to the slum district. Conditions there are far from ideal, but they do at least have a roof over their heads. You''ll find them living in a small house near the Drunk Mosquito Tavern.


    You might wonder why I didn''t do more for your family. Rest assured, I did what I could. The trouble your brother got into could have easily resulted in the death of your entire household. But I used my connections and paid a hefty price to keep them safe. I''m sorry I couldn''t do more.


    Sincerely,


    Jin Fu


    Xue San breathed a sigh of relief. So it was that idiot brother of mine who caused all this trouble. Still, he felt confident he could solve whatever problems his family faced. After all, even if he was considered poor by cultivator standards, he was wealthy beyond measure to an ordinary mortal.


    High above, on the third floor of the pavilion, Jin Fu watched Xue San depart.


    "Master," said a shadowy figure at his side, "I don''t understand. If you wished, you could have easily helped him solve this mess. Why pretend it took so much effort? His brother was only transporting stolen goods through his father-in-law''s company. Serious for mortals, perhaps, but trivial to us."


    "And why should I do that, Shadow One?" Jin Fu asked calmly. "I do find the boy interesting¡ªhe seems to be a cultivator now. Judging from his aura, he''s likely no higher than the third stage of Qi Gathering. I was generous enough to warn the White Tiger Gang not to kill his family. Beyond that, I''m merely curious. Let''s see how things unfold. Send someone to follow him and notify me if anything noteworthy occurs."


    "Yes, Master," the figure replied.


    The slums were a dumping ground¡ªnot only for people but for refuse of every kind: trash, sewage, and all the filth the wealthy wished to keep out of sight and smell. Gangs roamed at will, terrorizing those who had come to the city in search of a better life, only to have their hopes cruelly crushed.


    As Xue San walked the filthy streets in his pristine outer-sect robes, the locals stared at him warily. Soon, he found the Drunk Mosquito Tavern mentioned in Jin Fu''s letter. Now, he only needed to pinpoint his family''s whereabouts.


    "Well, well, what''ve we got here? A pretty boy" slurred a drunk man stumbling out of the tavern. "Hey, pretty boy, how about I show you a real good time? I''ll even pay you five copper coins!" he jeered.


    Xue San''s face darkened¡ªnot so much at the man''s crude proposition as at the thought of his sisters living in such a vile environment. He silently vowed to knock some sense into that useless older brother of his.


    "Scram," Xue San growled, letting a fraction of his spiritual sense flare. The drunk sobered instantly, trembling so hard that he even wet himself.


    Ignoring the man, Xue San stepped into the tavern.


    Although it wasn''t particularly crowded, every patron turned to gawk at him. Without a word, he approached the counter.


    "I''m looking for someone," he said.


    "Then keep looking," replied the bartender, a middle-aged man with a large mustache.


    Xue San studied him calmly, then took a gold coin from his pouch and placed it on the counter. The bartender pocketed it, waiting to hear more.


    "A family of four," Xue San began. "A couple in their thirties and two daughters¡ªone around thirteen and another about eighteen. Their name is Xue. They rented a place nearby. Do you know where they might be?"


    "Well, I haven''t seen any family of four move in lately," the bartender remarked. "But a few months ago, a family of five took up residence in the building behind this tavern. Four that match your description and also another little girl"


    At that, Xue San immediately thought of the nephews he''d never met. It could be them¡­


    The bartender continued. "The father picks up odd jobs here and there, and the mother stays home with her daughters, making ends meet by mending clothes. Word is they were pretty well-off once, but apparently their eldest son screwed up badly, and they lost everything. Now he just drinks all day. And you want to hear the funniest part?"


    "What?" Xue San asked, a dangerous light flickering in the depths of his eyes.

 Book 1- The Start of Cultivation Chapter 28: Oh Realy? Then Dont Mind If I Do.

    The bartender continued. "The father picks up odd jobs here and there, and the mother stays home with her daughters, making ends meet by mending clothes. Word is they were pretty well-off once, but apparently their eldest son screwed up badly, and they lost everything. Now he just drinks all day. And you want to hear the funniest part?"


    "What?" Xue San asked, a dangerous light flickering in the depths of his eyes.


    "They had a daughter-in-law who left them to become an entertainer in the red-light district. Can you believe it?" The man burst into laughter as he said this.


    Xue San was taken aback. This was hardly the news he had been bracing himself for. In truth, he had never been fond of his sister-in-law¡ªhe could still recall the disdainful glances she used to cast around their family home in the village. But to think she would abandon her husband''s family and prostitute herself the moment they fell into crisis¡­


    "What a disgusting woman," he muttered, his voice laden with contempt.


    "Right, right?" the bartender replied with a derisive chuckle. "If I had a son like that, I''d have beaten him to death. It''s not enough that he ruined his family''s fortune¡ªhe also married such a blackhearted woman."


    Not wishing to linger, Xue San left the tavern and headed for the building behind it. His hands trembled as he knocked on the door.


    "Who¡­ Who is it?" came a voice from inside¡ªhis mother''s voice.


    "Mom, it''s me. Xue San."


    A moment of silence passed before the door swung open. His mother didn''t give him so much as a second to speak; she pulled him into a tight embrace the instant she saw him.


    In that moment, all of Xue San''s worries seemed to melt away.


    "Mother, who is it? If it''s about the clothing, I''m already done," called a second voice, belonging to his older sister, Xue Er.


    She came into view, cloth still in hand. But when she caught sight of her mother hugging Xue San, she dropped everything and rushed over, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You idiot," she sobbed. "Why didn''t you come sooner? I was worried sick."


    A broad smile lit up Xue San''s face, and tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. This was his big sister: no matter how dire her situation was, she''d always be concerned about him.


    "Let''s go inside and talk," he finally said.


    "Yes, yes, let''s do that," his mother agreed quickly. "You must be hungry. Let me prepare something for you to eat."


    Xue San wanted to refuse, but seeing her eagerness, he held his tongue.


    "Where''s little Xue Si?" he asked.


    "She''s sleeping," Xue Er replied, her tone subdued. "She''s been under the weather these past few days¡ªit''s the flu. Father went out to buy medicine; he should be back any time now."


    "May I see her?" Xue San moved toward the sleeping area, but his mother gently placed a hand on his arm, insisting it would be better for Xue Si to rest undisturbed. So, instead, they all headed into the small kitchen, which doubled as the living room.


    "So, are you a cultivator now?" Xue Er asked, excitement creeping into her voice.


    "Yes!" Xue San answered.


    "Wow, and¡ª"


    He cut her off. "Wait. Before anything else¡­ tell me what happened. Why are all of you here?"


    At his question, the warmth in the room fled as if a cold wind had blown through.


    "It''s all that idiot Xue Yi''s fault," Xue Er spat.


    "Xue Er," their mother warned, casting her a disapproving look.


    "What? It''s true!" Xue Er shot back. She turned to Xue San. "Listen, this started long before your nice, Xue Rou was born. Our so-called ''genius'' older brother¡ªthinking he was smarter than everyone else¡ªstruck a deal with some shady group called the White Tiger Merchant Guild. They claimed they needed manpower to transport goods and offered him a tidy sum. They even let him stamp his father-in-law''s seal on their official documents, as a guante, so if they refused to pay, he could claim ownership of the deal. Can you imagine how he fell for that?" She scoffed.


    "Well, to cut to the chase, they were smuggling stolen goods, and our dear brother ended up taking the fall."


    Xue San''s jaw almost hit the floor. Was his brother a child? How on earth could he have gone along with something like that? "That moron," he cursed inwardly.


    "Master Jin Fu helped us out a lot," Xue Er continued. "He even paid a significant amount of money to keep us safe. But then the White Tiger Merchant Guild came knocking, demanding reparation. In the end, we had to give them every coin we had, along with the house. At least they left us alone after that." A hint of fear crept into her voice.


    "And Sister-in-law?" Xue San asked.


    "Humph! Don''t mention that whore," Xue Er snarled.


    To Xue San''s surprise, their mother did nothing to chide Xue Er this time.


    "When our brother lost everything, she moved in with us. But once the house was gone, she just left. Rumor is she went off to work in the red-light district, and what''s worse, she ended up in a brothel owned by the White Tiger Merchant Guild."


    Xue San shook his head in disbelief. "How could anyone sink so low? She¡ª"


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Just then, Fluffy¡ªwho had spent what felt like an eternity stuffed inside Xue San''s bag¡ªlet out a few sharp barks, breaking the tension in the tiny room.


    "What was that?" Xue Er asked curiously.


    Recalling the poor little creature he had stuffed in his bag all day, Xue San felt a pang of guilt.


    "When I was back at the sect, I stumbled upon this little fellow. One thing led to another, and now he won''t leave my side. I figured Xue Si might like him."


    Said Xue San as he took Fluffy out of the bag.


    "Absolutely not," his mother said, frowning at how Fluffy was growling at Xue San.


    "Mother, please¡ªjust look at how adorable he is," Xue Er chimed in.


    "Mom, it''s my fault that he''s angry," Xue San explained. "I left him in the bag while I was looking for you, and he stayed in there without a peep. He''s probably just hungry."


    "Wow, he''s that smart?" Xue Er exclaimed.


    "Well¡­" his mother began uncertainly. Yet Xue San could see that she, too, found the little wolf cub endearing.


    "Rou Shui, I''ve got the medicine," came his father''s voice from the doorway.


    Before their mother could respond, Xue Er rushed to greet him. "Father, look who''s back!"


    When his father caught sight of him, his stern features softened into a fond grin. "So you still remember you have a family, you brat."


    Xue San hugged his father tightly. Although they had endured so much, they were still the loving, close-knit family he remembered.


    They shared a simple stew for dinner¡ªa meal that tasted heavenly to Xue San''s. Even Fluffy overate, his belly bulging from all he had devoured. Afterward, his father suggested they go out for a drink. Xue San immediately sensed that his father wanted to discuss something away from his Mother and Xue Er.


    They headed to the tavern next door and found a secluded corner, while his mother and sister remained home, happily playing with Fluffy.


    By this time, Xue San had changed into ordinary clothes, ensuring that no one paid them any mind.


    "You probably already know why we''re stuck here," his father said, his gaze serious.


    "Xue Er explained everything," Xue San replied.


    "Good. Then I''ll cut to the chase: be sure to thank Mister Jin Fu for all the help he''s given us. I''m certain the only reason he even bothered was because he sees you as a sound investment."


    "I know, Father," Xue San said. "I won''t ever forget what he''s done for us."


    "Good." His father managed a faint smile. "Now, about your brother¡­" His voice trailed off.


    "Father, for the time being, it would be best for us to move outside these slums. This environment isn''t good for Mother and the others"


    "But we don''t have enough¡ª"


    "Don''t worry about money," Xue San said, forcing a confident smile. "As a disciple of a grand sect, I receive more than enough resources. In truth, I''m not sure how to spend it all." He was lying through his teeth, but there was no other way to extricate his family from these deplorable conditions.


    His father fell silent, then nodded.


    "As for my brother¡ªif he''s sober enough to find his way home, he''ll be sober enough to find where we are, he lived here longer than us, so he must have a better understanding of the city. Our priority now is taking care of Mother, Xue Si, Xue Er, and little Xue Rou," Xue San added.


    "You''ve matured a great deal since I last saw you," his father remarked quietly, studying him with a mix of pride and concern.


    Xue San nearly confessed all the hardships and dark deeds he had committed simply to stay alive¡ªbut decided against it. There was no use burdening his father any further. These sins were his alone to bear.


    Early the next morning, Xue Si threw a tantrum about not being awakened the moment Xue San arrived. She refused to leave her bed, even after he announced they would be moving somewhere better. But the instant she spotted Fluffy, she shot out of bed as fast as a rabbit fleeing its warren.


    Xue San also tried to talk to his little nice that he never met but the girl just hid behind his grandmother, apparently still afraid of this unknow uncle of hers.


    In the end, Xue San rented a house in the housing district, complete with a handful of servants. The steep price¡ªfive gold coins a month¡ªcovered every amenity, so they wouldn''t have to worry about basic necessities.


    Xue San still had thirty-seven gold coins saved, so he paid for half a year in advance.


    But that wasn''t all. Once his family had settled in, he revealed the gifts he had brought them from the Darkwood Forest. Everyone was delighted, especially his father, who couldn''t stop cradling his new bow as though it were a precious newborn.


    Seeing his family so content, Xue San discovered a deeper reason for his cultivation, beyond mere childhood dreams. His strength was what ensured they could live in peace.


    For if he weren''t a cultivator, he never would have been able to resolve their problems this readily. And if he weren''t a cultivator, he certainly couldn''t carry out what he planned to do next.


    In a private chamber elsewhere in Dragon Fort City, Jin Fu read the report on Xue San''s activities and smiled broadly. "Ah, my instincts never fail me," he said, handing a slip of paper to a shadowy figure lurking by his side. "Read this, Shadow One."


    Scanning the contents, the figure exclaimed, "He possesses spiritual sense on par with a Foundation Establishment cultivator and owns a spatial ring with tiny engravings of pill cauldrons adorned its surface." the shadowy figure trembled slightly "Master, is he the one holding the Dan Qing ring that Shadow Seventy-Six mentioned?"


    "Who else could it be?" Jin Fu replied, a mischievous grin forming on his lips.


    "Then I''ll retrieve it right awa¡ª"


    Jin Fu cut him off with a raised hand. "And why would you do that? I told you, Shadow One, there''s something extraordinary about this boy. Rare plants like Phoenix Fern don''t simply sprout for mortals to stumble upon. He even concealed his true cultivation from me¡ªthough I didn''t try too hard to probe him, it''s still impressive." The more Jin Fu spoke of Xue San, the brighter his eyes shone, like a wealthy child who had finally found a new toy that money could never buy.


    "But Master, the contents of that ring¡ª"


    "I know," Jin Fu replied. "But I have an even better idea. Why not give him a little help¡ªnudge him in the right direction!?" A scheming smile spread across his face. Jin Fu didn''t have this much in years.


    In the following days, Xue San relished his time with his family. One afternoon, as they were preparing to go out, he felt a familiar fluctuation from his spatial ring.


    Another message from the Blood Moon Guild appeared:


    "Orders with the seal of the Guild Master;


    Surface member Xue San: You are hereby ordered to eliminate the leaders of the White Tiger Gang, also known as the White Tiger Merchant Guild. Failure to comply will result in the prescribed punishment from the Guild."


    Xue San frowned. Why would they choose him, of all people? The Guild certainly had stronger members. But this was an order he couldn''t refuse. The repercussions of disobedience were beyond anything Xue San could face alone.


    As if his mood wasn''t already sour enough, he suddenly heard a slurred voice from outside.


    "Well, well, well¡ªhic!¡ªliving it up, are we? Why didn''t you bother letting me know? What you ¡ªhic!¡ª think I not wothy now¡ªhic!?" It was his elder brother, stumbling about, reeking of liquor. He had finally managed to track them down.


    "E-Elder Brother?" Xue Si squeaked, ducking behind their mother.


    "Shut up, you little sh¡ª hic¡ª shrimp," he snarled, so drunk he could scarcely speak.


    "Xue Yi, don''t talk to your sister that way!" their father snapped, anger flashing in his eyes. Where had he gone wrong with this son?


    "Or wha¡ªhic¡ªwhat? Everything''s gone to hell, if you helped me when I asked, now¡ªhic¡ª give me the¡ªhic¡ªmony. The Whithe Tiger Merchants¡ªhic¡ªstill say I own them¡ªhic¡ª"


    "Xue Yi, shut your mouth before I do something I''ll regret!" his father roared.


    "Oh, hic¡ªgo ahead, old man¡ªhic¡ªtake a swing. But if you dont dare¡ªhic¡ªI will go tell that you have¡ªhic¡ªmony!" hahaha "And they will¡ªhic¡ªtake your wife¡ªhic¡ªtoo" Xue Yi taunted, thrusting his cheek forward. He knew his father pitied him too much to deliver a real blow. But these words where to much even for his father to tolarate


    But before he could take even a step Xue San was already in from of his elder brother. "Oh, really? Don''t mind if I do."