Chapter 1: Death and Rebirth
You know what's funny? Death wasn't anything like I expected. No tunnel of light, no past memories flashing before my eyes, no choir of angels—just the abrupt sensation of my face meeting concrete at terminal velocity after tripping on my own shoelaces.
Yeah, I know. A pathetic way to go.
I'd always imagined my death would be more... dignified. Maybe heroically saving someone from a burning building, or peacefully passing away in my sleep after living a full life. Instead, I died because I couldn't be bothered to tie my shoes properly while rushing to my morning classes. The last thing I heard was the screech of brakes and someone yelling "Oh shit!" before everything went black.
Then came the void.
I floated in absolute nothingness for what felt like both an eternity and a mere instant. No sight, no sound, no sensation—just the awareness of my own consciousness suspended in infinite darkness. It was peaceful in a terrifying sort of way, like being wrapped in a blanket of existential horror.
"Well," I remember thinking, "this is anticlimactic."
But then something changed. A gentle tugging sensation, as if someone had tied a string to my soul and decided to go fishing. The void began to spin, or maybe I was the one spinning—it's hard to tell when you're just a disembodied consciousness. The peaceful horror transformed into what I can only describe as cosmic vertigo.
And then, without warning or fanfare, I was breathing again.
The first breath felt like inhaling fire. My lungs expanded painfully, and my entire body tingled as if I'd been hit by lightning. My face was pressed against something gritty and warm—dirt? I could feel it against my cheeks, taste it on my lips. For a moment, I thought I was back at the scene of my accident, face-down on the sidewalk.
But the air smelled different. Wrong. Or maybe right, just... not like anything I'd ever smelled before. Clean, with hints of unfamiliar flowers and herbs.
"Young man!" a concerned voice called out. "Young Ke Yin!"
Hands gripped my shoulders, gently turning me over. I opened my eyes and found myself staring up at... an impossibly blue sky? What happened to the concrete buildings? The traffic lights? The urban sprawl?
An elderly man with a long white beard leaned over me with a worried look on his face. He wore elaborate red robes and a jade-topped staff lay on the ground beside him. Behind him, I could make out two younger men in simpler robes, hovering anxiously.
"The fever—" one of them started.
"Has broken," the old man interrupted, pressing a hand to my forehead. "His spiritual pathways have stabilized. It seems the emergency technique worked, though not quite as expected."
I tried to sit up, and the old man helped me. That's when I noticed my hands—which weren't my hands at all. They were smaller, the fingers longer and more elegant than my old stubby digits. The skin was paler too, with a strange, almost luminous quality to it.
"I..." My voice came out different—younger, smoother. "What happened?"
What. The. Hell.
The words emerged in a language that wasn't English, but which I somehow understood perfectly.
The old man—Master Wei, a name that suddenly appeared in my mind—helped me to my feet.
"You collapsed with fever during our journey," he explained. "I feared we might lose you, but your spirit proved stronger than expected."
Yeah, about that...
My brain—or whatever brain I was currently borrowing—short-circuited.
You know that feeling when you wake up in a strange place and for a split second can't remember where you are? Yeah, multiply that by about a thousand. Different body, different language, and maybe even a different world.
I was either having the mother of all out-of-body experiences, or the universe had a seriously twisted sense of humor.
Okay, Kane, I told myself, trying to stay calm. Let's assess the situation.
One: I died. That much was certain unless this was some extremely vivid hallucination brought on by massive head trauma.
Two: I was now apparently inhabiting someone else's body.
Three: I was surrounded by people who looked like they'd stepped straight out of a wuxia drama.
Memories that weren't mine began filtering in, like water seeping through cracks in a dam.
This body belonged to—had belonged to?—a young man named Ke Yin, the son of a tailor in a small town called Floating Reed Village. He had been chosen by the visiting Immortal Masters to join their sect as an Outer Disciple, a rare honor that came once every few decades.
Master Wei, one of the sect's talent scouts, had tested hundreds of young people in the region before selecting young Ke Yin for his exceptional spiritual sensitivity. The two men behind us were his disciples, responsible for carrying supplies and protecting us on the journey to the sect.
But the original Ke Yin had been pushing himself too hard on the journey, hiding a burning fever that had finally overwhelmed him. Master Wei had attempted an emergency spiritual technique to save his life, but instead of preserving Ke Yin's failing body, the technique had inadvertently created a perfect conduit for my wandering consciousness to slip in just as the original soul departed.
Great. Not only was I a body-snatcher, but I was also apparently headed to some kind of mystical kungfu school. If this was the afterlife's idea of a joke, I wasn't laughing.
"We should reach the outer gates of the Azure Peak Sect by nightfall," Master Wei announced, interrupting my existential crisis. "Young Ke Yin, I trust you remember the basic courtesies we discussed?"
More borrowed memories bubbled up. Bow three times when meeting senior disciples. Address all inner disciples as 'Senior Brother' or 'Senior Sister.' Never look directly at the Elders unless given permission to speak. Keep your eyes down and your mouth shut unless spoken to.
"Yes, Master Wei," I replied automatically, grateful for the dead boy's memories. The last thing I needed was to offend someone in a world where people could apparently perform "spiritual techniques."
We walked in silence for several hours, giving me time to sort through the jumble of memories and information in my head. The original Ke Yin had been seventeen, a few years younger than I had been when I died. He'd lived a relatively peaceful life helping at his father's shop, until Master Wei had visited their town and tested all the young people for some kind of spiritual potential.
The test had involved holding a mysterious jade pendant and circulating one's breath in a specific pattern. Most of the teenagers had failed to produce any reaction, but when young Ke Yin had tried, the pendant had glowed with a soft blue light. That glow had sealed his fate—and now, apparently, mine as well.
The landscape gradually changed as we walked, the gentle hills giving way to increasingly steep terrain. In the distance, I could see mountains rising into the clouds, their peaks shrouded in mist. The air grew noticeably thinner, and I found myself having to take deeper breaths.
"The sacred peaks of our sect," Master Wei said, noticing my attention. "What you see is merely the mortal face of Azure Peak. Its true glory lies in the higher realms, hidden from mundane eyes."
I nodded, trying to look appropriately awed while internally wondering what the hell that meant. Higher realms? Mundane eyes? Every answer I got only raised more questions.
The sun was indeed setting by the time we reached what Master Wei had called the outer gates. To call them gates seemed like an understatement—they were more like walls, stretching up at least fifty feet and carved directly into the mountain face. The stone was a peculiar shade of blue-gray, and strange symbols had been carved into its surface in intricate patterns.
Two figures stood guard, wearing robes similar to Master Wei's but less elaborate. They straightened as we approached, offering respectful bows to the old master.
"Master Wei returns," one of them intoned formally. "We trust your search was fruitful?"
"Indeed," Master Wei replied. "One suitable candidate, showing promise in the Azure Path."
The guards nodded and made some kind of gesture with their hands. The massive gates began to swing open silently, despite their apparent weight. I tried not to gawk too obviously. Either these people had some incredibly well-oiled hinges, or something decidedly non-mechanical was at work here.
Beyond the gates lay a sprawling complex of buildings that seemed to defy gravity, perched on impossible cliffs and connected by delicate-looking bridges that swayed in the wind. Everything was built in that same distinctive blue-gray stone, with swooping roofs and delicate spires that pierced the clouds above.
"Welcome," Master Wei said, "to the Azure Peak Sect, your new home."
Home. The word hit me like a physical blow. Everything I'd been trying not to think about—my death, my family, my friends, my entire world—came crashing back. They would find my broken body on the university steps, call my parents, hold a funeral. Would they cry? Would they miss me? Did time even flow the same way between worlds?
"Young Ke Yin?" Master Wei's voice snapped me back to reality. "Are you unwell?"
I realized I had stopped walking, my borrowed body trembling slightly. "I... it's just overwhelming," I managed to say, which wasn't exactly a lie.
The old master's expression softened slightly. "It is natural to feel thus when first beholding the sacred peaks. Many young disciples find themselves overcome. Take a moment to compose yourself, then we shall proceed to the Outer Disciples' quarter for your registration and assignment."
I took a deep breath, forcing down the panic and grief that threatened to overwhelm me. I could have my existential crisis later, preferably in private. Right now, I needed to focus on survival. I was in a strange world with strange rules, and something told me that showing weakness here would be a very bad idea.
We crossed one of those seemingly fragile bridges, which thankfully proved more stable than it looked. The view was simultaneously breathtaking and terrifying—clouds swirled below us, and the wind carried whispers that seemed almost like voices. Every now and then, I caught glimpses of figures moving through the air in the distance, as if gravity was merely a suggestion rather than a law.
The Outer Disciples' quarter turned out to be a cluster of simple but elegant buildings near the base of one of the smaller peaks. Young men and women in plain gray robes hurried about their business, some carrying books or strange implements I couldn't identify. They all had the same careful way of moving, as if constantly aware of some invisible protocol.
Master Wei led me to a building marked with the character for "Registration" while his two disciples waited outside. Inside, an elderly woman sat at a desk covered in scrolls and what looked like jade tablets. She didn't look up as we entered.
"Name?" she asked in a bored tone.
"Ke Yin of Floating Reed Village," Master Wei answered for me. "Showing affinity for the Azure Path, recommended for general studies until his aptitude becomes clear."
The woman finally looked up, her eyes sharp despite her apparent age. She studied me for a long moment, then nodded and began writing on one of the scrolls with practiced efficiency.
"Dormitory Three, Cell Twelve," she said, handling me a jade tablet similar to the ones on her desk. "This is your identification token. Do not lose it. Your sect robes and basic cultivation materials will be provided by the quartermaster. Morning assembly is at dawn in the Outer Disciples' Square. Do not be late."
I accepted the tablet, noting how it felt warm to the touch despite being made of stone. More memories from the original Ke Yin filtered in—being late to morning assembly was apparently a serious offense, punishable by physical discipline and loss of privileges.
"I will leave you here," Master Wei said. "From this point forward, you must walk your own path. Remember what we discussed during our journey—maintain your dignity as a disciple of Azure Peak, but never let pride blind you to your own limitations. Many promising disciples have fallen because they forgot they were mere saplings reaching for the sun."
I bowed, remembering the proper form from the original Ke Yin's memories. "Thank you for your guidance, Master Wei."
The old master nodded once, then turned and left without another word. Just like that, I was alone in a strange world, about to begin a life I knew nothing about.
The quartermaster turned out to be a gruff man with impressive burn scars on his arms. He took one look at my identification tablet and began pulling items from various shelves: three sets of gray robes, a pair of sturdy boots, basic writing materials, and several objects I didn't recognize. Everything went into a simple cloth bag which he thrust into my arms.
"Basic cultivation materials are provided for the first month only," he growled. "After that, you'll need to earn contribution points to replace or upgrade them. Don't waste them."
I nodded, adding "figure out what contribution points are" to my mental list of urgent tasks. The bag was surprisingly heavy as I made my way to Dormitory Three, following directions provided by a slightly more helpful outer disciple.
Cell Twelve turned out to be a small but clean room with a narrow bed, a desk, and a shelf for personal belongings. A window overlooked one of the many courtyards, and I could see other new disciples moving into their own cells, some accompanied by family members who had apparently made the journey to see them off.
I had no such farewell party, and for that I was grateful. I wasn't sure I could handle watching someone else's parents say goodbye to someone who wasn't really their son anymore.
Sitting on the narrow bed, I finally allowed myself to really process everything that had happened. I had died. I had somehow possessed the body of another person who had also died. I was now in what appeared to be some kind of magical martial arts sect in a world that operated on completely different rules from the one I'd known.
"Okay," I whispered to myself, "okay. You can handle this. Just... take it one step at a time."
Having read my fair share of cultivation novels back on Earth, I knew better than to make assumptions. Every story seemed to have its own take on what cultivation actually meant.
In some, it was all about breathing techniques and meditation. In others, practitioners had to absorb natural energy or refine special pills. There were even ones where cultivators had to eat demons or make deals with ancient spirits. I couldn't assume anything about how it worked here.
Step one: Don't draw attention to myself until I figure out how things work here. Step two: Learn everything I can about this world and this sect. Step three: Figure out what "cultivation" actually means in this world and how not to fall behind. Step four... well, I'd figure that out when I got there.
A bell rang somewhere in the distance, its deep tone resonating through the mountain. Through the window, I could see disciples beginning to gather in what I assumed was the Outer Disciples' Square. Time for whatever passed for orientation in this place.
I changed into one of the sect robes, carefully following the folding patterns shown in the original Ke Yin's memories. The fabric was surprisingly comfortable, and something about its texture felt almost alive, as if it was responding to my body heat.
"Right," I muttered, straightening the robes one final time. "Let's go learn how to be an immortal cultivator. How hard can it be?"
As I stepped out of my cell, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was about to find out exactly how hard it could be. But then, I was already dead—what was the worst that could happen?
In retrospect, that was probably not the best question to ask in a world where apparently anything was possible.
The sun was setting behind the sacred peaks of Azure Peak Sect, casting long shadows across the courtyards. In those shadows, I could have sworn I saw things moving that didn't match any laws of physics I knew. Above, the clouds continued their eternal dance around the mountain peaks, and somewhere in the distance, someone was playing a melody on what sounded like a flute, its notes carrying impossible distances on the wind.
Welcome to your new life, Kane. Try not to die again.
Chapter 2: First Steps
The Outer Disciples' Square was exactly what it said on the tin—a massive courtyard paved with the same blue-gray stone that seemed to be everywhere in this sect. What the name didn't convey was the sheer scale of the place, or the fact that it was currently packed with several hundred teenagers all trying very hard to look like they knew what they were doing.
I found myself a spot near the back of the gathering crowd, trying to mimic the straight-backed, hands-clasped-behind-back stance that seemed to be the default here. The original's memories were helpful, but they were more like watching a tutorial video than having actual muscle memory. Still, fake it till you make it, right?
"Seniors approaching!" someone hissed, and the crowd's nervous shuffling immediately ceased.
Five figures emerged from one of the larger buildings overlooking the square. Unlike our plain gray robes, their blue robes were decorated with intricate patterns that seemed to shift in the fading daylight. They moved with an uncanny grace that made them appear to be gliding rather than walking.
The one in the lead was a woman who looked to be in her thirties, though something told me appearances might be deceiving here. Her hair was done up in an elaborate style held in place by what looked like silver needles, and her robes bore additional white patterns that distinguished her from her companions.
"I am Senior Sister Liu," she announced, her voice carrying effortlessly across the square without seeming to raise it. "I oversee the training of Outer Disciples. You stand here because you have shown potential, but potential alone means nothing. Whether you rise or fall, succeed or fail, live or die—all will depend on your own efforts."
Well, that was cheerful.
"Tomorrow, you will begin your formal introduction to the arts of cultivation," she continued. "Tonight, you will receive your first lesson in what it means to be a disciple of Azure Peak Sect. Junior Brother Chen, proceed."
One of her companions stepped forward and made a gesture with his hands. Suddenly, the air grew heavy, as if the atmospheric pressure had doubled. Around me, people gasped and staggered. I found myself struggling to breathe, my knees threatening to buckle.
"This," Senior Sister Liu said calmly, "is merely a fraction of true spiritual pressure. As Outer Disciples, you will learn to withstand it, to move through it, to breathe despite it. Those who cannot..." She shrugged elegantly. "Well, the mortal world always needs more merchants and farmers."
The pressure increased. Someone to my left fell to their knees. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to remain standing through sheer stubbornness. My whole body felt like it was being crushed by an invisible weight.
"Interesting," I heard Senior Sister Liu murmur, though she was too far away for normal hearing to pick up her voice. "A few show promise."
After what felt like hours but was probably only a few minutes, the pressure vanished. I nearly fell over from the sudden release, catching myself at the last moment. Around me, others weren't so lucky, sprawling on the stone courtyard as their legs gave out.
"Those still standing, step forward," Senior Sister Liu commanded.
I looked around. Out of what must have been three hundred new disciples, only about twenty of us remained on our feet. We formed a ragged line before the seniors, trying not to show how much that experience had rattled us.
"Your dormitory assignments are changed," she announced. "You will be moved to Dormitory One. This is not a reward—it is a recognition of capacity and thus an increase in expectations. Disappoint us, and you will find that demotion is the least of your concerns."
Great. Just what I needed—more attention.
"The rest of you," she addressed the broader crowd, many of whom were still picking themselves up off the ground, "remember this moment. Remember this feeling. It is but a taste of what awaits you on the path of cultivation. Return to your dormitories and reflect on whether you truly have the will to continue."
With that encouraging speech, she and her companions turned and left, their robes swishing dramatically in a wind I was pretty sure they'd generated themselves. Show-offs.
A younger disciple, probably only a year or two ahead of us, began calling out names and new room assignments for those of us who'd remained standing. I found myself assigned to Cell Five in Dormitory One. Apparently, I would have time to move my belongings after the evening meal.
Speaking of which, my new stomach was informing me rather insistently that it needed food. One of the servants pointed me toward a large building near the dormitories—the Outer Disciples' Dining Hall.
The hall was already crowded when I arrived, filled with both new disciples and older outer disciples who'd returned from whatever tasks had occupied them during the day. The setup was simple: show your identification tablet to receive a bowl of rice and whatever dishes were being served, then find a place to sit.
I ended up at a table with several other new disciples, all of whom looked as overwhelmed as I felt. The food was simple but surprisingly good—rice, some kind of stir-fried vegetables I didn't recognize, and a soup that tasted faintly medicinal.
"Did anyone else feel like they were dying during that pressure test?" one of my tablemates asked quietly. He was a skinny teen with nervous eyes, his hands still shaking slightly as he held his chopsticks.
"Pretty sure that was the point," another replied, this one a girl with short-cropped hair. "My cousin's in the Southern Cloud Sect. She said their initiation was even worse—they had to stand under a waterfall for an hour while enduring spiritual pressure."
"The Southern Cloud Sect sits on a mountain range famous for its spirit waterfalls," someone further down the table chimed in. "My family trades in cultivation resources—each sect's trials are usually related to their particular strengths."
I listened carefully while pretending to focus on my food. Every bit of information could be valuable, especially since I was starting with a massive disadvantage. Sure, I had the original's memories of this world's basic culture and customs, but those were the memories of a tailor's son—hardly comprehensive when it came to cultivation.
"I heard Azure Peak specializes in something called the Azure Path," I ventured, hoping to prompt more information.
"Of course they do," the trader's son replied, a bit condescendingly. "Azure Peak is one of the Five Great Sects of the Eastern Continent. Each has their own interpretation of the heavenly dao—Azure Peak focuses on transformation and adaptation, like water taking any shape while maintaining its essential nature."
That... actually explained nothing, but I nodded as if it made perfect sense.
The conversation continued, with various disciples sharing rumors and snippets of information they'd gleaned about the sect and cultivation in general. Most of it went over my head, but I filed away everything for later consideration.
After dinner, I returned to my original cell to gather my belongings. It didn't take long—I'd only been here for a few hours, after all. The new cell in Dormitory One was virtually identical to the old one, just located in a different building.
As I was arranging my few possessions, someone knocked on the door frame. It was one of the disciples who'd been at my dinner table—the trader's son.
"I'm Wei Lin," he said without preamble. "Cell Six. Thought you might want these." He handed me a stack of what looked like handwritten notes.
"What are they?" I asked, leafing through the pages. They appeared to be some kind of study materials, with diagrams and explanations about basic cultivation concepts.
"Copied them from my family's archives before coming here," he said with a slight smirk. "Not supposed to have prior knowledge, but everyone does it if they can. Figured since you're next door and you didn't immediately start bragging about your family's secret techniques, you might actually be worth knowing."
I blinked at his bluntness. "Thanks. I'm Ke Yin."
"I know. You were one of the few who didn't look like they were about to pass out during the pressure test. Interesting, considering you're from..." he paused, obviously fishing for information.
"Floating Reed Village," I supplied, remembering to stick to the original Ke Yin's background.
Wei Lin's eyebrows rose slightly. "A village candidate? Now that is interesting. Well, read those tonight. Tomorrow's going to be... enlightening."
He left before I could ask what he meant, which was probably intentional. I settled down at my desk and began reading through the notes by the light of what looked like a glowing crystal embedded in the wall.
The basics, according to these notes, were both simpler and more complex than I'd expected. Every living thing apparently had something called a spiritual core, a sort of energy-based organ that existed alongside the physical body. Most people's cores remained dormant their entire lives, but cultivators learned to awaken and develop theirs.
Well, that explained why they'd tested village youth with jade pendants. They were looking for people with naturally sensitive spiritual cores.
The notes went into extensive detail about breathing exercises and meditation techniques, with warnings about the dangers of incorrect practice. Apparently, trying to force one's spiritual core to awaken too quickly could lead to something called qi deviation, which sounded extremely unpleasant.
I was deep in a passage about the importance of maintaining mental clarity during meditation when another bell rang—curfew. I changed into the sleeping robes provided with my sect outfit and lay down on the narrow bed.
Sleep didn't come easily. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw flashes of my death—the concrete rushing up to meet me, the sudden darkness, the void. Part of me still couldn't quite believe this was real. Maybe I was in a coma, and this was all some elaborate dream my dying brain had conjured up.
But no, everything felt too real. The slight roughness of the sect robes, the lingering taste of that medicinal soup, the weight of the spiritual pressure during the test—my imagination wasn't that good.
I must have dozed off eventually, because the next thing I knew, a gong was reverberating through the dormitory. Dawn. Time for morning assembly.
The pre-dawn air was crisp as I joined the stream of disciples heading to the square. Everyone moved with purpose, though whether that was genuine enthusiasm or fear of punishment, I couldn't tell.
This time, we were arranged in neat rows according to our dormitory assignments. Those of us who'd survived the pressure test were placed at the front, which made me distinctly uncomfortable. I preferred to observe from the back, but apparently that wasn't an option anymore.
Senior Sister Liu appeared again, this time accompanied by a dozen other senior disciples. They carried what looked like ceramic jugs, which they began distributing through the crowd.
"Today," she announced, "you begin your journey on the path of cultivation. In these vessels is Spirit Gathering Water, drawn from the sacred springs of Azure Peak. It will help awaken your spiritual cores—if you have the capacity for awakening."
When the jug reached me, I saw that it was filled with what looked like ordinary water, except that it seemed to shimmer slightly when I moved it. Following the example of those around me, I took a small sip.
It tasted like... well, like water, but somehow more so. Like the platonic ideal of water, if that makes any sense. It felt cool going down, then seemed to spread a gentle warmth through my chest.
"Close your eyes," Senior Sister Liu instructed. "Focus on that warmth. Feel it gathering, condensing. This is the first step on the path of cultivation—learning to sense your own spiritual core."
I did as instructed, concentrating on the strange warmth in my chest. At first, nothing seemed to happen, but gradually I became aware of... something. A sort of density in the center of my chest, like a drop of heavy rain suspended in still air.
"For most of you, this is all you will achieve today," Senior Sister Liu's voice continued. "A few may sense the shape of their core. Fewer still might—"
She was interrupted by a gasp from somewhere in the crowd. I heard murmurs and shifting feet, but I kept my eyes closed, focusing on that strange sensation in my chest. The warmth was growing stronger, the density more pronounced.
And then, suddenly, I wasn't just sensing it—I was seeing it. Not with my physical eyes, which were still closed, but with some other kind of perception. In the darkness behind my eyelids, a small point of light pulsed in rhythm with my heartbeat.
"Interesting," I heard Senior Sister Liu say, much closer than before. "Open your eyes, disciple."
I obeyed, blinking in the brightening dawn. She stood directly in front of me, studying me with an intensity that made me want to step back.
"How much did you see?" she asked.
"A... a point of light," I answered honestly. "Pulsing with my heartbeat."
She nodded slowly. "And the space around it?"
"Space?" I frowned. "I only saw the light."
"Hm." She made a gesture, and one of her companions handed her what looked like a marble made of the same jade as our identification tablets. "Hold this."
I took the marble, and immediately the point of light in my chest pulsed stronger. The jade began to glow with a soft blue light, just as it apparently had during my initial testing in the village.
"Very interesting," Senior Sister Liu murmured. "You may have fulfilled the first requirement for the Azure Path without even trying. We shall see." She raised her voice to address the crowd again. "Those who saw their core, step forward. Those who merely felt it, remain in place. Those who sensed nothing... consider this your first warning."
About thirty disciples stepped forward, including me and, I noticed, Wei Lin. Senior Sister Liu walked along our line, handing each of us one of the jade marbles.
"These are Spirit Resonance Beads," she explained. "They will help you visualize and interact with your core. Practice with them during your meditation. In one month, we will test your progress. Those who show sufficient advancement will begin true cultivation techniques. Those who do not..." She let the sentence hang.
The rest of the morning was spent learning basic meditation postures and breathing exercises. By lunch, my legs were cramping from sitting cross-legged for hours, and my head was swimming with terms like 'qi circulation' and 'spiritual meridians.'
"Not bad for a village boy," Wei Lin commented as we headed to the dining hall. "Though I notice you didn't mention seeing the space around your core."
I glanced at him sharply. "Did you?"
He smiled slightly. "Of course. My family has been preparing me for this since I could walk. The fact that you saw anything at all without preparation... like I said, interesting."
I was beginning to hate that word.
The afternoon was devoted to more mundane studies—reading and writing, basic sect history, and an introduction to what they called 'cultivation ethics.' This last one seemed particularly important, given how many times the instructor mentioned that violating these principles could result in immediate expulsion or worse.
By the time evening arrived, my brain felt as full as my aching muscles. I sat on my bed, rolling the Spirit Resonance Bead between my fingers and watching it glow in response to... whatever it was responding to.
A knock at my door revealed Wei Lin again, this time carrying what looked like a tea set.
"Spiritual Tea," he explained, inviting himself in and setting up the pot and cups on my desk. "Helps maintain clarity during evening meditation. My family exports it to three different sects."
I was starting to suspect his casual mentions of his family's business connections were less about bragging and more about establishing his value as an ally. Smart.
The tea had a subtle, almost ethereal flavor, and seemed to clear away some of the day's mental fog. As we drank, Wei Lin explained more about sect politics and the importance of building connections early.
"The sect talks about equality and merit," he said, "but reality is more complicated. Everyone has their own agenda, their own resources, their own secret techniques passed down through family or bought at great cost. The trick is finding your own advantages and leveraging them."
"And what advantage do you see in helping me?" I asked directly.
He smiled, apparently appreciating the bluntness. "You're an unknown quantity. No family techniques, no obvious backing, yet you performed as well as those of us who've been preparing for years. That makes you either incredibly lucky or incredibly talented. Either way, worth knowing."
I couldn't help but laugh at the irony. If he only knew how right he was about the 'lucky' part.
After he left, I spent several hours practicing with the Spirit Resonance Bead, trying to better visualize that point of light in my chest. According to Wei Lin's smuggled notes, this was just the first step. Eventually, cultivators learned to expand and shape their spiritual cores, transforming them into something called an 'inner world.'
I was still puzzling over what exactly that meant when curfew bell rang. As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I found myself actually looking forward to tomorrow's lessons. Death and reincarnation aside, there was something undeniably exciting about learning to do what basically amounted to magic.
Of course, that excitement was tempered by the very real possibility of washing out and being sent back to a village I barely remembered, or worse.
Chapter 3: The Inner World
The thing about meditation is that it gives you way too much time to think. Sitting cross-legged on my narrow bed, trying to focus on the pulsing light in my chest that apparently represented my spiritual core, my mind kept wandering to increasingly existential questions. Like, was I technically stealing this cultivation potential from the original Ke Yin? Was his soul floating around somewhere, annoyed that some random guy from Earth had hijacked his chance at immortality?
"Focus," I muttered to myself, rolling the Spirit Resonance Bead between my fingers. It had been a week since that first morning assembly, and while I could now reliably sense my core, I hadn't made much progress beyond that. Wei Lin, naturally, was already talking about something called 'core expansion,' while dropping not-so-subtle hints about special techniques his family could teach me—for a price, of course.
The jade bead pulsed with soft blue light in response to my spiritual energy, a rhythm I'd grown familiar with over countless hours of practice. Close your eyes, regulate your breathing, feel the connection between the bead and the light in your chest...
Something shifted.
The sensation was subtle at first, like a change in air pressure before a storm. The pulsing light that represented my core seemed to... unfold? That's not quite the right word, but spiritual phenomena have a way of defying normal description. It was as if I'd been looking at a point of light head-on all this time, and suddenly shifted perspective to see it had depth.
Warning!
Initiating Inner World Formation Protocol...
The text appeared in my mind like a heads-up display in a video game, glowing blue characters floating in the darkness behind my closed eyes. What the...?
Host detected.
Spiritual Architecture System v1.0 activating...
Analyzing spiritual resonance...
Compatibility check: PASSED
Beginning inner world manifestation...
The point of light exploded outward, or maybe I fell inward—direction gets weird when you're dealing with spiritual spaces. Either way, I suddenly found my consciousness in a vast, dark void. Not the peaceful nothingness of death, but an active emptiness, like a blank canvas waiting for paint.
Inner World Status:
Size: 1 cubic meter
Features: None
Energy Density: 1/100
Current State: Dormant
Would you like to begin the tutorial?
"Uh... yes?" I tried to speak, only to realize I didn't actually have a mouth in here. The thought seemed to be enough, though.
Welcome to your Inner World, cultivator! This space represents your spiritual foundation and will grow as you progress along the path of cultivation. Currently, your inner world is in its most basic state. Features and formations can be added as you gain spiritual energy and insight.
Available Actions:
Survey Inner WorldCheck StatusView Energy FlowsExit Inner WorldOkay, this was... different. I was pretty sure most cultivators didn't get a video game interface with their inner world. This had to be related to my unique situation—some kind of cosmic tech support for interdimensional travelers?
"Survey Inner World," I thought.
Surveying...
Current Inner World consists of a 1m x 1m x 1m space of unformed spiritual energy. No features or formations present.
Spiritual density: minimal.
Recommend beginning with basic energy circulation to increase density and stability.
A small figure materialized in the void—a boy who looked about ten, dressed in simple blue robes similar to my sect uniform. He had silver hair and oddly luminous blue eyes.
"Greetings, Master! I am Azure, your inner world spirit guide. I was formed from the resonance between your spiritual core and the System's activation. I will assist you in developing and maintaining your inner world!"
Well, that was... surprisingly cute, actually. "Um, hello Azure. I'm Kane. So... you're like a spiritual AI?"
Azure tilted his head. "I don't know what an 'AI' is, Master. I am a manifestation of your inner world's natural organizing principle, shaped by the System's influence. I can help you understand the various metrics and features available to you, and assist with implementing changes to the inner world's structure."
That raised so many questions, but I decided to focus on the practical aspects first. "What should I be doing to develop this space?"
"According to the System's analysis, the most efficient first step would be establishing proper energy circulation," Azure explained, waving his hand to create glowing blue diagrams in the void. "Your current spiritual energy intake is unstructured. By implementing basic circulation patterns, we can increase energy density and begin expanding the available space."
New Task Available: Establish Basic Energy Circulation
Reward: Increased energy efficiency, potential space expansion
Difficulty: Beginner
"The System can provide real-time feedback on your circulation attempts," Azure added helpfully. "Would you like to try?"
I was about to agree when I felt a distant sensation—someone shaking my physical body. Right, I was still supposed to be meditating in my room.
"Exit Inner World," I thought quickly.
Warning: First-time setup not complete.
Continue later? Progress will be saved.
"Yes, yes, save and exit!"
I opened my physical eyes to find Wei Lin standing over me, looking concerned. "Finally! You've been completely unresponsive for almost an hour. Did you reach core condensation already?"
"What? No, I was just... meditating deeply." I tried to sound casual, but my mind was racing. An hour? It had felt like minutes in there.
Wei Lin looked skeptical but didn't push. "Well, you missed dinner. I brought you some congee—can't cultivate on an empty stomach."
"Thanks." I accepted the bowl, trying to process everything that had just happened. A system-assisted inner world with its own spiritual AI companion? This had to be some kind of cosmic cheat code, though whether it was a benefit or a complication remained to be seen.
"You're developing faster than expected," Wei Lin commented as I ate. "My family has some techniques that could help, you know. Nothing too expensive for a friend..."
I nodded absently, only half listening to his sales pitch. I was more focused on the faint presence I could now feel in my spiritual core—Azure waiting patiently in the newly formed inner world, ready to continue our tutorial whenever I was ready.
This changed everything. The question was... how to keep it secret while taking full advantage of it?
"Actually," I said, cutting off Wei Lin's increasingly elaborate pricing structure, "I think I need to focus on the basics for now. But I appreciate the offer."
He looked mildly disappointed but unsurprised. "Suit yourself. Just remember, resources and connections make all the difference in cultivation. Raw talent only gets you so far."
If he only knew.
That night, after curfew, I sat in meditation again, eager to explore this new development. The transition to my inner world was smoother this time, less disorienting.
Welcome back, Master! Shall we continue the setup process?
Azure materialized, looking exactly as he had before. The void around us seemed a bit more... structured somehow, though still essentially empty.
"Let's do it," I agreed. "Show me how to establish proper energy circulation."
Initiating Basic Circulation Tutorial... Step 1: Visualize energy flow paths...
As Azure began explaining the process, complete with glowing diagrams and real-time feedback, I couldn't help but smile. Maybe dying and being reincarnated wasn't the worst thing that could have happened to me after all.
Of course, that was before I knew about the monthly evaluations, the sect politics, the increasingly dangerous training methods, and the fact that my unique system would attract some very unwanted attention if discovered. But hey, one crisis at a time, right?
At least I had a cute spiritual AI to help me figure it out.
Basic Tutorial Beginning...
Loading...
Please wait...
Chapter 4: Learning the Basics
Keeping a secret in a sect full of cultivators is about as easy as hiding a penguin in a peacock sanctuary. Everyone's always watching, analyzing, looking for any advantage or weakness they can exploit. And here I was, trying to conceal the fact that I had what amounted to a spiritual video game interface in my head.
"Your energy circulation is improving, Junior Brother Ke Yin," Senior Sister Liu commented during morning practice. "Though your method is... unconventional."
I tried not to look nervous. "Unconventional how, Senior Sister?"
She made a vague gesture with her hand. "Most beginners circulate spiritual energy like water flowing through channels. Yours moves more... systematically. Almost mechanical in its precision."
Warning: Circulation pattern potentially identifiable.
Recommend randomizing flow variance by 15% to appear more natural.
I silently thanked Azure for the heads-up. The little spirit had proven invaluable over the past few days, helping me navigate the basics of cultivation while keeping our unique situation under wraps.
"I've been practicing very diligently, Senior Sister," I said carefully. Which was true – I just didn't mention the helpful UI elements and progress bars that made it significantly easier.
She studied me for a moment longer before moving on to critique the next disciple. I let out a quiet breath of relief.
"You're attracting attention," Wei Lin muttered from his meditation cushion beside me. "That's the third time this week Senior Sister Liu has singled you out."
"I'm just following the basic instructions," I protested. "Same as everyone else."
Wei Lin snorted softly. "Right. And I'm secretly the Sect Master's long-lost son. Nobody progresses this smoothly without special techniques. Which, I remind you, my family would be happy to provide..."
"Still focusing on the basics," I cut him off. This was becoming a daily conversation. "But I appreciate the offer."
The truth was, I did have special techniques – they just weren't the kind Wei Lin was thinking of.
Current Status: Inner World
Size: 2.3 cubic meters
Energy Density: 23/100
Features Unlocked: Basic Circulation Paths, Energy Collection Array (Level 1)
Azure had explained that while every cultivator eventually developed an inner world with its own spiritual manifestation, my system provided unique advantages. For one thing, I could see exactly how everything worked, complete with numbers and progress bars. For another, Azure wasn't limited to the usual role of a spiritual guide.
"Most inner world spirits are like gardeners," he'd explained during one of our evening training sessions. "They help maintain the spiritual landscape and provide basic guidance. Thanks to the System, I can offer much more precise assistance."
The morning session eventually ended, and we broke for the mid-day meal. I had just sat down with my bowl of rice when a commotion broke out near the dining hall entrance.
"Inner Disciples!"
The warning spread quickly, and everyone scrambled to stand and bow as a group of older disciples entered. Their robes were more elaborate than ours, with patterns that seemed to ripple like water catching sunlight.
"Well, well," one of them said, scanning the room. "So, these are the new outer disciples everyone's been talking about?"
I kept my head down, remembering the warnings about proper etiquette. That didn't stop me from noticing how the inner disciple's spiritual pressure filled the room like a heavy fog.
Warning: Elevated spiritual pressure detected
Recommended Action: Maintain steady circulation to prevent energy disruption
Current Resistance: 45%
Thanks, Azure. Very helpful.
"You there," the inner disciple said suddenly. "The one with the steady spiritual resistance. Look up."
Oh no.
I raised my head slowly to meet his gaze. He was younger than I expected, probably only a few years older than us outer disciples, but his eyes held the weight of significant cultivation behind them.
"What's your name?" he demanded.
"Ke Yin, Outer Disciple," I replied formally. "Of Floating Reed Village."
"A village recruit?" He raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. Your spiritual energy is unusually... structured for someone without a cultivation background."
Warning: Attention level rising
Recommend activating Spiritual Camouflage Protocol
Note: This will reduce cultivation efficiency by 20% but make energy patterns appear more natural
I really needed to thank Azure for adding these features.
"I study the basic techniques very carefully," I said, which was becoming my standard response to such observations.
The inner disciple smirked. "Is that so? Well, then you won't mind demonstrating your... careful study. Report to the Outer Disciples' Training Ground after the evening meal. I think it's time for some practical experience."
Great. Just great.
"You're in trouble now," Wei Lin whispered after the inner disciples had left. "That was Zhou Ming, one of the rising stars among the inner disciples. He's known for taking a... special interest in promising outer disciples."
"Special interest how?"
"Let's just say his last 'training partner' spent a week in the healing pavilion."
Wonderful. As if I didn't have enough to worry about.
New Task Available: Survive Training with Inner Disciple Zhou
Difficulty: Intermediate
Reward: Increased combat experience, potential technique insights
Failure Consequence: Significant physical injury, possible cultivation setback
"Not helping, Azure," I muttered under my breath.
"What was that?" Wei Lin asked.
"Nothing. Just... mentally preparing myself."
The rest of the day's classes passed in a blur. I tried to focus on the lecture about spiritual beast classification, but my mind kept wandering to the evening's impending 'training session.'
Would you like to review combat-applicable features? Azure suggested during a brief meditation break.
"I have combat features?" I thought back at him.
Basic ones, yes. The System includes fundamental martial analysis capabilities. I can provide real-time feedback on energy flows and movement patterns. It won't make you an instant combat expert, but it might help you avoid the worst outcomes.
Well, that was something at least.
Evening came far too quickly. I made my way to the training ground, trying to ignore the small crowd that had gathered to watch. Apparently, word had spread about Zhou Ming's interest in the 'village prodigy.'
"Ah, you actually came," Zhou said, standing in the center of the practice ring. "I half expected you to hide in your dormitory."
"You honored me with your instruction, Inner Disciple Zhou," I replied carefully. "How could I refuse?"
He smirked. "Such proper manners. Let's see if your cultivation is as refined as your courtesy. Attack me."
I blinked. "I'm sorry?"
"Attack me," he repeated. "Show me these basic techniques you've studied so carefully. Don't worry – I'll restrict my cultivation to the first level of Qi Condensation. That should give you a fighting chance... maybe."
The crowd whispered excitedly. Even with him restricting himself, this was like putting a kindergartener up against a professional fighter.
Analyzing opponent...
Detected Cultivation Level: Qi Condensation Stage 6 (Currently suppressed to Stage 1)
Combat Style: Mountain Maker
Recommended Strategy: Maintain distance, focus on defensive movements, conserve energy
"Today would be nice," Zhou called out, his tone mocking.
Well, nothing for it but to try. I settled into the basic martial stance we'd been taught, feeling my spiritual energy respond to the System's optimized circulation patterns.
Combat Mode Activated
Enabling real-time analysis
Movement prediction algorithms online
I moved forward cautiously, throwing a basic palm strike that any cultivator should know. Zhou didn't even bother dodging – he simply stood there as my attack bounced off his spiritual pressure like it had hit a wall.
"Pathetic," he said. "Is that really all you've learned? Here, let me show you how it's done."
His counter-attack was like lightning. One moment he was standing still, the next his palm was headed straight for my chest.
Incoming attack pattern detected!
Recommended action: 45-degree pivot, redirect force downward
I moved instinctively, following the System's guidance. Zhou's palm strike brushed past me, close enough that I felt the spiritual energy crackling along my robes.
The crowd's whispers grew louder. Even Zhou looked momentarily surprised.
"Better," he admitted. "But still not good enough."
The next few minutes were a lesson in humility, System assistance or not. Zhou's attacks came from impossible angles, each one carrying enough force to send me flying if they connected directly. The best I could do was partially deflect them, turning direct hits into glancing blows.
Warning: Energy reserves at 47%
Multiple bruising detected
Recommendation: Implement emergency withdrawal strategy
"I haven't even started using techniques yet," Zhou taunted, barely looking winded. "Shall we move beyond basic movements?"
Before I could respond (probably with more polite groveling), a sharp voice cut through the evening air.
"What is going on here?"
Senior Sister Liu stood at the edge of the training ground, her expression stormy. The gathered crowd immediately began to disperse.
"Just some friendly practice, Senior Sister," Zhou said smoothly. "Testing the new disciples' progress."
"Is that so?" Her gaze swept over my disheveled appearance and probably numerous bruises. "And did you gain the insights you sought sparring someone five substages below you, Inner Disciple Zhou?"
Something passed between them, some unspoken communication that went over my battered head. Finally, Zhou bowed slightly.
"Indeed, Senior Sister. The outer disciples show... potential. With proper guidance, of course."
"Of course," she replied coolly. "I'm sure you have more important matters to attend to."
Zhou took the diplomatic dismissal for what it was. He gave me one last measuring look before departing, his robes swishing dramatically. Show-off.
"Report to the healing pavilion," Senior Sister Liu instructed me. "Then return to your dormitory and reflect on this experience."
I bowed, wincing at my sore muscles. "Yes, Senior Sister. Thank you for your timely arrival."
A ghost of a smile crossed her face. "Timely? I've been watching for the past ten minutes. You survived longer than expected against a superior opponent while maintaining remarkable spiritual control. That itself is a valuable lesson, wouldn't you say?"
She walked away before I could respond, leaving me to contemplate her words.
Combat Analysis Complete Performance Rating: C+Areas for Improvement:
Energy efficiency (42% optimal)Attack timing (63% optimal)Defensive positioning (71% optimal) New Skills Unlocked:Basic Combat AnalysisMovement Prediction (Level 1)"A C+?" I thought indignantly at Azure as I limped toward the healing pavilion. "I survived against an inner disciple!"
Technically, you survived against an inner disciple deliberately holding back to an enormous degree,Azure pointed out. But you did exceed base survival expectations by 47%, so that's something!
Great. Even my spiritual AI assistant was a critic.
The healing pavilion was a peaceful place, filled with the scent of medicinal herbs and staffed by disciples specifically trained in healing techniques. The elderly disciple who treated me clicked her tongue disapprovingly at my bruises.
"Fighting with inner disciples already?" she muttered, applying some kind of cooling salve. "You outer disciples get more ambitious every year."
"In my defense," I said, "I tried very hard not to fight him."
She snorted. "Next time try harder. Or at least learn some proper defensive techniques first." She pressed her palm against my back, and I felt cooling spiritual energy ease the worst of the bruising. "There. Try not to need my services again too soon."
By the time I made it back to my dormitory, most of the pain had faded to a dull ache. Wei Lin was waiting outside my door.
"You're alive!" he said, sounding genuinely relieved. "And walking! That's more than Yuan Mei managed after his 'training session' with Zhou Ming."
"Barely alive," I corrected, unlocking my door. "And walking is a generous description of what I'm doing right now."
He followed me inside, producing a familiar tea set. "Medicinal spirit tea," he offered. "Good for recovering from spiritual exhaustion. Only thirty contribution points per packet, for a friend."
I couldn't help but laugh. "You're trying to sell to me while I'm injured? That's cold, Wei Lin."
He shrugged, already preparing the tea. "The sect rewards those who seize opportunities. Besides, you'll need every advantage you can get now that you've caught Zhou Ming's attention."
"What do you mean?"
"He only bothers to test disciples he thinks have potential," Wei Lin explained. "And you survived his test while displaying, and I quote, 'remarkable spiritual control.' That makes you interesting. Being interesting in Azure Peak Sect is..."
"Dangerous?"
"I was going to say potentially profitable, but yes, also dangerous." He handed me a cup of tea. "So, about those family techniques I mentioned..."
"Still focusing on basics," I said automatically.
He sighed. "Your funeral. Speaking of which, morning assembly is in six hours. Try not to die before then?"
After he left, I settled into meditation position, wincing slightly. The spirit tea helped, I had to admit. Maybe I should look into bulk ordering...
Entering Inner World Processing combat experience data...
Updating spiritual architecture...
My inner world had changed since its first formation. The empty void now contained glowing circulation paths that pulsed with spiritual energy, and a simple array near the center helped collect and refine ambient energy. It wasn't much compared to what experienced cultivators could create, but it was progress.
Azure materialized, looking concerned. "You took significant damage in that encounter, Master. Should we prioritize defensive improvements?"
"What are my options?"
"Let's first review the battle analysis."
A three-dimensional replay appeared in the void, showing the fight from multiple angles. I could see now how many openings I'd left, how inefficient some of my movements had been even with the System's guidance.
"Can we use this to improve?" I asked.
Azure nodded. "The System can help optimize your responses based on this data. It won't make you an expert fighter, but it should help you avoid the worst mistakes next time."
"Next time? There's going to be a next time?"
"Given your observed rate of cultivation progress and the political dynamics within the sect, the probability of future combat encounters is approximately 89%," Azure reported cheerfully.
"That was a rhetorical question!"
"Oh. Should I disable probability calculations for rhetorical questions?"
I sighed. "No, keep them. They might be useful. What should we focus on for now?"
"Given current resources and training requirements, I recommend continuing to perfect basic circulation while gradually incorporating combat movement patterns. Once we achieve optimal efficiency, we can begin expanding the inner world's space and implementing more advanced features."
That sounded reasonable. I was about to agree when a thought struck me.
"Azure, what exactly are you? I mean, I know you're my inner world spirit, but you seem... different from how the lectures describe spiritual manifestations."
He tilted his head, considering. "I am a unique existence created by the interaction between your transmigrated soul, this world's spiritual systems, and the System interface. I have aspects of a traditional inner world spirit, yes, but also elements of what you call artificial intelligence. I exist to help you navigate this new existence and optimize your cultivation path."
"And the System itself?"
"Think of it as training wheels for your soul," he suggested. "Your modern Earth consciousness isn't naturally equipped to handle cultivation concepts, so the System translates everything into terms you can understand and work with. As you progress, you'll rely on it less and less directly, though its benefits will remain."
"So I'm not cheating?"
Azure actually laughed at that. "Master, you died and transmigrated into another world. I think the normal rules stopped applying somewhere around then. Besides, every cultivator has advantages they were born with or stumbled into. Yours just happens to be more... systemized."
He had a point. And it wasn't like I was using the System to directly power up or skip stages – it just helped me understand and optimize what I was already seeing.
Chapter 5: Economics of Cultivation
Here's the thing they don't tell you about cultivation in all those ancient texts and flowery manuals: it's expensive. Really expensive. Sure, you can technically cultivate with nothing but your own spiritual energy and determination, but that's like trying to build a house with just your bare hands. Theoretically possible, practically stupid.
"Attention, Outer Disciples!" Senior Sister Liu's voice cut through the morning mist. "Today we will discuss the sect's contribution point system and resource allocation procedures."
Finally. After two weeks of basic training, we were getting to what Wei Lin called "the real foundation of cultivation."
System Update:
Resource Management Interface unlocked
New features available:
Resource trackingEfficiency calculationsExchange rate optimizationAzure materialized in my inner world, now a cozy 3.5 cubic meters of space with basic energy circulation paths. "This should help you keep track of everything, Master!"
"Today you begin earning your keep," Senior Sister Liu continued. "Every outer disciple is expected to contribute to the sect while pursuing their cultivation. Tasks range from herb gathering and formation maintenance to assisting with sect security and running errands for inner disciples."
She gestured, and several disciples began distributing jade tablets similar to our identification tokens.
"These will track your contribution points. Think carefully about how you earn and spend them. They are the lifeblood of your cultivation journey."
New Interface: Contribution Point Management
Current Balance: 0
Available Tasks:
Herb Gathering (1-5 points per hour depending on rarity)Formation Maintenance (3 points per hour)Messenger Duties (2 points per task)Combat Practice Assistant (5 points per session)I examined my tablet as Senior Sister Liu explained the various ways to earn and spend points. The system's interface was helpfully organizing everything into neat categories with efficiency ratings.
"The most basic spiritual resources available to outer disciples are priced as follows," Senior Sister Liu continued. "Spirit Stones: 10 points each. Basic cultivation pills: 30 points. Spiritual herbs: varying prices based on grade and rarity. Access to special training areas: 20 points per hour."
Resource Analysis: Recommended initial focus:
Spirit Stones (essential for inner world development)Basic Energy Condensation Pills (optimize cultivation speed)Estimated points needed for optimal monthly progress: 500"That's... a lot of points," I thought to Azure.
"Indeed, Master. Most outer disciples struggle to earn 200-300 points per month while maintaining their cultivation schedule."
Wonderful. Because I didn't have enough to worry about already.
"Additionally," Senior Sister Liu said, "you may now purchase sect manuals and technique scrolls appropriate for your cultivation level. Basic techniques cost 50 points. More advanced methods will become available as you progress."
Wei Lin nudged me. "My family's techniques are much more reasonable," he whispered. "Only 40 points for beginners..."
"Still focusing on basics," I muttered back automatically.
After the explanation, we were given the afternoon to explore the various task options and begin earning points. I found myself in one of the sect's herb gardens, armed with a basic guide to spiritual plants and a small gathering basket.
"That's not Purple Heart Grass," an amused voice said as I reached for what I thought was my first contribution point opportunity.
I looked up to find a girl about my age watching me with poorly concealed mirth. Her outer disciple robes were stained with dirt and plant matter, suggesting she spent a lot of time in the gardens.
"It's... not?"
"That's common heart weed. Similar appearance, completely useless for cultivation. Purple Heart Grass has a faint spiritual glow and three-pointed leaves." She pointed to a nearby plant that, indeed, had a subtle purple luminescence. "I'm Lin Mei. Herb Garden Section Two supervisor."
"Ke Yin," I introduced myself. "Complete novice at herb gathering, as you've noticed."
She laughed. "Most new disciples are. They all want to start with combat training and profound techniques, but end up here when they realize how many points they need."
Plant Analysis activated
Scanning local flora...
Identifying valuable specimens...
Thank you, System. The garden suddenly lit up with helpful indicators showing which plants were worth gathering and their approximate point values.
"Mind if I work near you?" I asked Lin Mei. "I could use the guidance, and I'm happy to share credit for anything I find."
"Smooth," she said, grinning. "But sure. Always nice to have company that doesn't spend the whole time complaining about manual labor being beneath true cultivators."
We fell into a comfortable rhythm, with Lin Mei pointing out valuable herbs and explaining their properties while I used the System's highlighting to ensure I didn't miss any. By sunset, I had earned 25 contribution points and learned more about spiritual herbology than I had in two weeks of classes.
"Not bad for a first day," Lin Mei said as we turned in our gatherings. "You have good eyes for detail."
Credit assistance from automated plant detection system
"Thanks," I said, ignoring Azure's honest commentary. "Think I could make this a regular thing?"
"Supervisor's hours are fixed - same time every afternoon. Don't be late!" She waved and headed off toward the outer disciples' dining hall.
Social Link Established: Lin Mei
Relationship Level: Friendly Acquaintance
Potential Benefits: Improved herb gathering efficiency, reliable point income
"I don't need relationship stats for everyone I meet," I thought at Azure.
"The System analyzes all potentially significant connections," he replied primly. "Social capital is an important resource in sect politics."
Speaking of resources, I had another stop to make before dinner. The sect's supply hall was a massive building near the central plaza, its shelves stocked with everything a cultivator might need - assuming they had the points to pay for it.
"One Spirit Stone," I told the stern-faced elder managing the basic supplies section, handing over my jade tablet.
He waved his hand over it, deducting 10 points, and handed me a crystal about the size of my thumb. It pulsed with pure spiritual energy.
Item Acquired: Low-Grade Spirit Stone
Quality: 35/100
Energy Content: 1000 units
Recommended Use: Inner World Enhancement
"Stand there gawking all day and you'll never afford the good stuff," a familiar voice commented.
I turned to find Wei Lin examining a display of meditation incense. "Let me guess - your family sells better spirit stones at a discount?"
"Naturally! But since you're still 'focusing on the basics,' I won't bother making the offer." He selected several sticks of incense and paid for them. "Though I have to wonder how basic you're really keeping things, given what I saw in the training yard yesterday."
Ah yes, my second run-in with Zhou Ming. The inner disciple had apparently decided I made an amusing practice dummy and had taken to "randomly" showing up during outdoor training sessions. The System's combat assistance helped me avoid the worst of it, but...
"Just trying to survive," I said with a shrug. "Speaking of which, don't suppose you know any good defensive techniques? For, uh, completely unrelated reasons?"
Wei Lin's eyes lit up. "As a matter of fact..."
"That I can afford with 15 contribution points," I added quickly.
His enthusiasm deflated. "Ah. In that case, no. Though if you're interested in a payment plan..."
"Still focusing on basics!"
He threw up his hands in mock frustration. "Your funeral. Again."
Back in my room that evening, I examined my new spirit stone while reviewing the day's lessons.
"Ready to begin enhancement procedures?" Azure asked, materializing in my inner world.
The space had developed nicely over the past weeks. Basic circulation paths created patterns of flowing light, and the energy collection array hummed quietly in the center. Still, there was plenty of room for improvement.
"What are my options?"
"Expanding your inner world would be the best thing to do right now," Azure advised. "A larger inner world means more room for future developments and faster spiritual energy absorption."
Made sense. "Let's do it."
Azure guided me through the process of breaking down the spirit stone and incorporating its energy into my inner world's structure. It was like watching a magical construction project - glowing lines of force extended from the central array, pushing against the void and gradually expanding the available space.
Enhancement in Progress Space Expansion Foundation forming...
Current Status: 27%
Estimated completion time: 3 hours
A knock at my door interrupted the process. I opened my eyes to find Lin Mei holding a small basket.
"Thought you might want these," she said, showing me a collection of minor spiritual herbs. "Leftovers from today's gathering. Not worth many points, but good for practice if you're working on spiritual sensitivity."
"Thanks! That's really helpful." I invited her in, noting how Azure immediately began analyzing the herbs' properties.
Spiritual Herb Analysis:
Minor Spirit Grass (Energy content: 5 units)Dawn Lotus Leaf (Energy content: 8 units)Cloudmist Flower (Energy content: 12 units)"Most new disciples focus too much on spirit stones," Lin Mei said, arranging the herbs on my desk. "They ignore these lesser materials because the energy content is low. But using them helps develop better control and efficiency."
She demonstrated by holding a piece of Spirit Grass and slowly drawing out its energy, making the blade glow faintly.
New Technique Observed: Fine Energy Extraction
Efficiency Rating: 87%
Learning opportunity detected
"Could you show me that again?" I asked, genuinely interested even without the System's prompting.
We spent the next hour practicing with the herbs, Lin Mei correcting my technique while I secretly relied on the System's analysis to optimize my energy extraction. By the time she left, I had gained what seemed to be another friend.
Social Link: Lin Mei
Relationship Level: Friend
Trust Level: 42%
Note: Subject shows teaching aptitude and genuine helpfulness.
Recommended for continued interaction.
"Thanks Azure, I figured out she's nice all on my own," I thought dryly.
The little spirit appeared in my inner world, looking slightly offended. "I'm merely providing quantifiable metrics for your reference!"
"Speaking of metrics, how's that space expansion coming along?"
Enhancement Progress: 73%
Notice: Processing additional energy from herb practice has accelerated development
Revised completion estimate: 1.5 hours
I spent the remaining time studying the sect's basic cultivation manual while occasionally checking my inner world's progress. The expansion was fascinating to watch - like seeing a universe slowly unfold from a single point.
Finally, Azure announced completion. My inner world had nearly doubled in size, now measuring roughly 6 cubic meters. The additional space immediately felt more stable, the energy circulation smoother.
***
The next day, Senior Sister Liu faced our class with the kind of serious expression that made everyone sit up straighter. Even I stopped fidgeting with my jade tablet.
"Today," she said, her voice carrying across the meditation hall, "we begin the true foundation of your cultivation journey - forming your Seed of Creation."
I caught Wei Lin's eye across the room, and he gave me a small nod. We'd heard about this - the moment when cultivators first touch their inner world. Honestly, I was both excited and nervous.
System Notice: Inner World Creation Protocol Initiated Beginning Seed Formation...
"Close your eyes," Senior Sister Liu instructed. "Find your spiritual core. Feel the energy gathering, forming the first spark of your personal domain."
I closed my eyes and tried to focus, though my mind kept wandering to all the stories I'd heard about inner worlds. Some cultivators created vast oceans, others endless mountains. One famous elder supposedly had an entire galaxy in his.
Then I felt it.
It was like discovering a new sense. In my mind's eye, I saw a tiny point of light, barely larger than a grain of rice, pulsing with a gentle blue glow. Azure appeared beside me in this strange mental space.
"That's your Seed of Creation," he explained quietly. "It's responding to your energy."
I watched, fascinated, as small motes of light began orbiting the seed. Each circle they made seemed to make the glow stronger, more stable. It was like watching a miniature solar system being born.
"Your Inner World will reflect your path," Senior Sister Liu's voice drifted through my consciousness. "It grows with you, becomes an expression of your understanding of the universe."
As I focused on the seed, the blue light steadied into something warm and constant. It felt... right, somehow. Like finding something I didn't know I was missing.
Seed of Creation Status
State: Stabilized
Size: Minimal
Potential: Unlimited
"Nice work," Azure said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. "From this point on, everything you learn, every step you take in cultivation, will help this seed grow."
I opened my eyes to find Senior Sister Liu moving between students, checking their progress. Some looked excited, others confused, and a few seemed almost in tears - whether from joy or frustration, I couldn't tell.
Wei Lin caught my attention and raised an eyebrow in question. I gave him a thumbs up. We'd compare notes later, but right now, I just wanted to sit with this new feeling. This tiny spark that would someday become my own piece of the universe.
Though I couldn't help wondering how long it would take to grow it into something impressive. Maybe Azure had some spreadsheets for that.
***
Ever since discovering my Seed of Creation, my days fell into a pattern more predictable than cafeteria lunch rotations. Mornings were dedicated to cultivation - honestly just me staring at my tiny blue seed-universe and trying to coax it into doing something impressive. Azure kept insisting that watching it wouldn't make it grow faster, but hey, a guy can hope.
"Your Inner World development is progressing at expected parameters," he'd say, while I swear that seed just sat there, twinkling smugly at me.
Afternoons meant herb gathering with Lin Mei, who somehow made identifying plants actually interesting. It beat combat practice, where Senior Brother Zhou seemed to think my face made an excellent target for "training exercises."
Then Wei Lin burst into my room one evening, practically vibrating with excitement. "Dragon's Heart Pills!" he announced, like he was selling the latest gaming console. "Thirty percent boost to cultivation speed! Practically giving them away at seventy points each!"
I didn't even look up from where I was failing to expand my cosmic seed. "Still focusing on basics."
"You and your basics," he groaned, claiming my spare meditation cushion. "The monthly evaluation's coming up, and word is they're raising the standards. Inner disciples want to thin the herd."
That got my attention faster than Azure's efficiency reports ever did. "Raising them how?"
"Too many outer disciples, not enough resources." He studied his nails with fake casualness. "Of course, those with proper preparation..."
"Let me guess - your family offers evaluation preparation services?"
"Special discount this week only!"
I threw a spirit grass stem at him. Some things never change.
But the next morning, Sister Liu confirmed everything. Those who couldn't keep up would be "reassigned to support duties" - basically cultivation career suicide.
Warning: Evaluation parameters updated Current cultivation speed insufficient for new requirements
Azure's warning flashed in my mind like a bad test grade. My seed was growing at 1.3x base speed. They wanted 2x. The options were simple: more spirit stones (200+ points), better techniques (150 points), or enhanced efficiency (180 points).
"Don't suppose we could skip it?" I asked Azure hopefully.
"That would result in automatic failure," he replied cheerfully. "Though I could calculate the odds of successfully faking a training accident..."
"No, we're doing this properly."
I spent that afternoon in the gardens, checking every bush like it might be hiding the secret to instant cultivation mastery. Lin Mei noticed, because of course she did.
"Worried about the evaluation?" She helped me spot some Sky Spirit Grass I'd missed in my panic.
"That obvious?"
"You've checked that bush three times." Her smile was sympathetic. "Everyone's worried. But panicking won't help."
"Easy for you to say. You're the herb expert."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, because I spent months learning these plants instead of chasing flashy techniques. Slow and steady wins the race."
Sometimes the best answers are the boring ones. "Hey Lin Mei," I said slowly, "what do you know about using herbs to enhance cultivation?"
Her eyes lit up like I'd finally asked the right question. The next few hours changed everything I thought I knew about resource management. Turns out those "useless" minor herbs, combined properly, could work almost as well as the expensive stuff.
New Cultivation Method Unlocked: Herbal Energy Integration
Efficiency Rating: 89%
Cost Reduction: 65%
Maybe my little seed didn't need premium fuel to grow after all. It just needed the right gardener.