Artificial Mark
Cultivating took time. It wasn't something you could just do and finish in a moment's time. Not to mention, it must be initiated by the Mark of the Creator. The reason why the Mark is so emphasized is because it is the base of everything. To learn body refinement techniques of cultivators, you need Qi for refinement. You can only attract Qi to yourself when you have the Mark or otherwise you can not gather Qi at all. Then there are the alchemists with their spiritual fire which requires Qi and a fire type Mark, blacksmiths who require a fire-type Mark or a steel-type Mark with Qi, and even Doctors need a life-type or a wood-type Mark. The Mark is the beginning of everything that has to do with cultivators.
That is why Li Wei was in such a bind. He was five and he hasn't gone through the Awakening Ceremony yet so how would he obtain Qi?
(Li Wei POV)
This is troubling. I got all these manuals in my excitement and I can't even use them. What do I do now? Wait for another two years? I don't think I have the patience for that.
Arriving in my little shack, I put down the techniques on the table and sat down on the chair. Due to my rough handling of them, the manuals spread out and I noticed two extremely thin books that were coming out of the Basic Qi Cultivation Technique. Opening it to find two extra manuals, I saw a small note that said, "You're welcome."
Always the caring one huh, old man? Thank you.
(Normal POV)
Reading the two books, he found himself more shocked as time passed. The first book was just a continuation of the Basic Qi Cultivation Technique, but the second book was the one that got his attention the most. It was called Artificial Mark. According to the small summary of the first page, this technique came from the Ancient Era and its purpose was to create a man-made mark to begin cultivating. Normally, techniques like these are dangerous because you can only get a Mark from the Creator through the ceremony, but this one was special.
It got the approval of the Creator, however, there were restrictions to it. For example, only one person can use this technique once in every million years and no exceptions. Second, The person who learned this can be no older than nine-years-old in body, soul, and mind. Lastly, it's existence can not be spread to the population. The way the last rule is fortified is that one person who is worthy of guarding this technique must give it to someone who deserves it the most or has gained the Guardian's acceptance.
Li Wei felt himself feeling happy because he understood it as the approval of the Librarian. The technique may be valuable, but he found himself more joyful at the thought of this level of trust.
Since it was still early morning, Li Wei sat on his bed and began the Artificial Mark. To do this, he needed his own blood for the drawing while enough willpower to not succumb to the pain. Once he loses his consciousness, this opportunity would be lost for the rest of his life. Li Wei wasn't a big fan of cutting himself and it certainly hurt when he did so. The moment he touched his stomach, his finger automatically drew an hourglass in the middle of his chest. During this process, Li Wei could only clench his fist and grit his teeth. If he had to describe the pain, it was like that one time he got boiling water on his hand, but three times the heat and pain.
His fair skin became red, his short blue hair looked like a wet cat and his clothes were sticking to his thin frame. Just as he was about to give in to his inner voice, his finger gained its freedom back and he fell down on his bed due to the exhaustion. Li Wei slept peacefully, knowing that he got what he wanted.
After he woke up, he noticed that the book vanished from his table like it never existed in the first place. Before leaving home, he changed the bedsheets and pillows that smelled like the clothes of large sweaty men. Exiting the house with extra clothes in his hands, he went to the male's bathhouse and cleaned himself thoroughly. He got himself some late breakfast and ate it on the way back. Clearly, Li Wei was beyond excited to try out cultivation.
Arriving home and sitting down on his bed once more, he commenced the Basic Qi Cultivation Technique and started to collect Qi on his first try. Once it entered his body, Li Wei directed it to his chest where his Mark was and continued the process. Li Wei described Qi as a warm gas that sometimes felt like needles. According to the instructions of the manual, if he went through that peculiar sensation, it meant that he had meridians that he could use to further support his cultivation journey. Meridians were never required for cultivation since the Mark did everything, but no one ever said no to extra help.
Of course, this only means that Li Wei had to pick up more manuals to use them in the first place and that would require extra effort. Something that he was very willing to do since he didn't like the idea of wasting the gifts that he was born with.
One thing Li Wei never mentioned to anyone before was the weird text in his mind. It was always empty, but after today, it filled up with information that he was very familiar with.
-
Name: Li Wei
[Mark of the Creator]
Hourglass(Time)
- Innate Skill I: Access a dimension where time is faster. Currently, 1 hour outside is 2 hours in the dimension. Reusable as long as the user has enough stamina. Food, shelter, and water will not be provided.
Physique: Ordinary
Body Training Techniques:
- Strong Fist ()
- Rock Fist ()
Cultivation Techniques:
- Basic Qi Cultivation Technique (1/5)
Martial Techniques:
Unique Training Techniques:
- Slumbering Base Technique ()
-
(Li Wei POV)
Eh? It only shows me my cultivation progress? That's it? How disappointing. On the bright side, I don't have to ever use a Peer Stone even though I never did plan on buying one.
Hmm...it's almost lunchtime. Let's try to complete the Basic Qi Cultivation Technique.