4

Apparently, the village where the previous owner of this body lived is very remote, which was why the number of people who have access to cultivation technique is so low. And even if they do have cultivation techniques, they could barely reach the second stage of energy gathering cultivation after a dozen of years of bitter cultivation.

Nevertheless, Ryan wasn't discouraged. He knew that he is different since he have the system, and unlike those villagers who have no ambition and wanted to lead a simple life, Ryan wanted to explore this world.

According to the memories he got, this forest is a small part of a big continent called the northern continent. Ryan didn't know if there was any other continents outside, he wasn't bothered nonetheless. First, he needed to increase his cultivation, then he will have enough time to explore this world.

As he was checking around, Ryan thought about finding a place to start cultivation. Since cultivators required a place where they couldn't be disturbed, Ryan first option was a cave. He started to move along the base of the cliff, hoping to find a cave somewhere.

As he walked, he admired the beautiful scenery. Unlike the modern world where he came from, this world is filled with greenery. And most importantly, the air here is very fresh, unlike the polluted air from the modern world. Ryan felt life coursing through his body with each breath he took, naturally, the origin energy in this world is another reason.

Normal people usually breath in the origin energy from the atmosphere through their daily life, therefore, they have stronger and healthier bodies compared to the people from the modern world, which results in them living for over a hundred years.

As he admired the beautiful nature, Ryan heard the sound of running water and decided to check it out, he kept going until he finally reached the source.

Ryan was surprised to find a waterfall coming from the side of the cliff, then he remembered that there was a river running through forest close to the village where the previous owner lived. The waterfall was filling up a small pond that was at the base of the cliff, it created a beautiful picture.

The sight of water running through the rocks at the side of the cliff, the colourful blooming flowers around the pond, the light reflected through the waterfall creating beautiful shades all over the wall.

Ryan was admiring the scenery when he caught the sight of a cave behind the waterfall, and he was delighted. He was just thinking about finding a place for cultivation and he thought that this was it.

As he came closer, Ryan realised that there was natural pathway made of rocks leading to cave going behind the waterfall. He moved forward, he decided to check out the cave before he started cultivation.

After a while, Ryan stood at ghe entrance of the cave and he nodded in satisfaction. The cave wasn't deep nor was it big, it was 6 meters deep and 5 meters wide, the roof was 4 meters tall. Ryan made his way to the inner part of the cave, he found a flat area where he sat down cross-legged.

Ryan made himself comfortable and decided to start cultivating, but before that, he wanted to check his status first.

"System, show me my status." Ryan said when a black and white panel appeared in front of him, the panel contained a bunch of information.

[Name: Ryan.

Race: Human.

Aptitude: 3 Stars (+)

Cultivation: None.

Cultivation technique: primordial monster body. (Unique)

———

Divine arts: Pocket dimension.

Skills: None.

Techniques: None.

———

System points: 10000

———

Transformation: Shadow.(1/1) (+)]

He looked at the word aptitude and pressed the (+) next to it, when suddenly a notification popped up.

[Do you wish spend 10000 system points to increase your aptitude to 4 stars? Y/N.]

Ryan was surprised and he pressed [Y]. From the knowledge he received with his cultivation technique, Ryan knew the importance of aptitude. Which was why he didn't hesitate to spend the only system points he had.

Once he agreed, Ryan felt warm energy spreading all over his body, Origin energy started to gather around him and Ryan became surprised. He didn't know that increasing his aptitude could result in auch a phenomenon.

He decided to take this chance and start his cultivation. He went through the energy gathering cultivation technique from the cultivation set he got and entered meditation.

Waves of origin energy gathered around his body and Ryan started absorbing it. Nevertheless, that didn't mean that he absorbed everything. He knew that three different factors determine the strength of each cultivator. And these three factors were; Cultivation level, cultivation foundation and aptitude.

Ryan thought that cultivation was similar to building a tower, cultivation level determine the height of that tower, while the foundation is the pillars that hold that tower and keep it standing. As for aptitude, it was the most important since it determines the talent and potential for each cultivator and Ryan thought of it as the material that the tower was built from.

Both aptitude and cultivation foundation affect the cultivation level. For example, if you have a stronger foundation you can build a taller tower, but without having the right materials, your tower can't continue to rise.

This was the reason why Ryan didn't hesitate to upgrade his aptitude, he knew that it was the most important factor in cultivation.

Meanwhile, origin energy gathered around Ryan and he started to absorb it. he was going through the first stage of origin gathering cultivation which was body tempering stage.

At the body tempering stage, the cultivator will clear up his meridians and temper his body. making his body capable of storing a small amount of Origin energy inside their body.

Time passed while Ryan was trying to open up his meridians, once he cleared his meridians, he will be able to store origin energy inside his body allowing him to take his first step in the path of cultivation.