The first thing Xiao Tuheng did after parting ways with Bao Liang and Feng Mei was march straight back to his hut. No detours. No hesitation. He had a mission to prepare for, his first real mission outside the sect.
In the Golden Mountain Sect, only disciples who reached the 6th Layer of the Qi Gathering Realm are allowed to take external assignments. Everyone else is stuck doing grunt work: sweeping the paths, tending the spirit gardens, or feeding the sect's less-than-friendly spirit beasts. The kind of stuff that made you question your life choices.
Xiao Tuheng had tried working in the spirit garden when he first joined the sect, but he quickly realized he wasn't cut out for it. He couldn't tell spirit herbs apart, mixed up watering schedules, and accidentally damaged a few valuable plants. After getting a mild reprimand and some disapproving looks from the senior disciples, he quietly decided gardening wasn't for him.
He also tried feeding the spirit beasts once. After nearly losing a finger to a rabbit-shaped creature known for munching on metals, he figured it wasn't worth the risk. In the end, he settled for sweeping the roads, boring, but safe.
You are required to complete one labor task every week if you are 5th Layer or below, and the pay was a joke. One measly Contribution Point per task. Meanwhile, even the cheapest cultivation pill cost ten.
That's how he ended up barely advancing in five years. But things are different now.
'Everything changes today,' he thought, stepping into his modest little hut. 'With the system, I won't just survive here, I'll thrive. I will become an Elder at least. Maybe even Immortal, if the heavens don't mind.'
He knelt beside the small wooden chest at the corner of the room and opened it. Inside were all his worldly possessions, which didn't take long to sort through. A few old robes, a cracked mirror, and a pouch containing his most precious resource: Satiety Pills.
"Well, at least I won't starve on the road," he muttered, stuffing the pills into his bag.
He was about to sit down and cultivate when a sudden realization froze him mid-step.
"Wait... I don't have a weapon."
He dropped onto his cultivation mat and frowned, deep in thought.
'I don't have money to buy a weapon, and even if I could get my hands on a mortal sword from some village on the way to the mission, it wouldn't do much against spirit beasts.'
His gaze shifted toward his system's skill panel.
[ Skills:
- Golden Mountain Manual (Qi Gathering Realm) - Proficient (88%)
- Stone Skin Technique (Qi Gathering Realm) - Beginner (78%) ]
"The Stone Skin Technique, huh?" he muttered. 'Not ideal, but it's something.' he thought, and as he thought about what the technique did, another window appeared, explaining it.
[ Stone Skin Technique (Qi Gathering Realm) - Beginner (78%)
- Type: Defensive Qi Art
- Element: Earth
- Description:
Channels Earth-element Qi through the skin and muscles, temporarily hardening the body like stone. Increases resistance to physical attacks and blunt force, perfect for new cultivators who lack speed or offensive power. ]
"A defensive art..." he said with a sigh. "Guess beggars really can't be choosers."
Still, he stood up and activated the technique. Earth Qi surged through his body in a specific pattern, flowing into his skin and muscle fibers. A soft, earthy glow coated him from head to toe.
He flexed his arm and noticed a subtle heaviness.
'So, it adds weight too... Could make my punches stronger, but it'll also slow me down.'
Curious, he gave himself a quick jab to the stomach.
"Ugh!" he wheezed, staggering back. "Okay, full strength was a mistake…"
He curled up slightly, waiting for the ache to subside. It did, but the bruise to his pride lingered.
'Not strong enough to tank much damage yet,' he thought. 'But if I upgrade my techniques now, maybe…'
Opening the system again, he converted all the Qi in his Dantian into Stored Energy.
[ Stored Energy:5.01 ]
"Alright, time to level up."
He chose the Golden Mountain Manual first, using just enough energy to upgrade it to the next proficiency tier. As the process completed, everything went black. He passed out.
"…Ughhh... What happened…" he groaned, blinking at the ceiling. Then it hit him.
"Oh, right. I passed out upgrading the technique."
He sat up, groggy but unharmed, and peeked outside. Judging by the sun, only a few minutes had passed. That was a relief.
'Let's see what I'm working with now,' he thought and reopened his skills.
[ Skills:
- Golden Mountain Manual (Qi Gathering Realm) - Mastery (1%)
- Stone Skin Technique (Qi Gathering Realm) - Beginner (78%) ]
"It worked," he whispered, unable to hold back a grin.
He crossed his legs and started cultivating. Immediately, a constant stream of Qi began to flow into his nose, and with expert control, the Earth Qi was transported into his Dantian while the other elements were exhaled through his mouth.
He didn't enter enlightenment this time, but the improvement in absorption speed alone made him grin.
"At this rate, I could reach the 9th Layer in two months... maybe less."
Satisfied, he used the remaining energy to upgrade his Stone Skin Technique.
The moment he confirmed the upgrade, his mind buzzed with information. New ways to optimize Qi usage, how to make the skin even tougher, muscles denser, and more.
After a minute, he stood and activated the technique again. This time, there was no glowing aura, just a faint shimmer across his skin, like sweat catching sunlight. The weight was still there, but he barely noticed it.
"This is way better," he said, throwing a few test punches. The force behind them was satisfying, making him smile.
With a firm nod, he sat down again and began cultivating to restore the Qi he'd spent.
'Now I'm ready for tomorrow.'