0024. The First Steps into Cultivation
Nile sat cross-legged, focusing his thoughts as the ASD screen shimmered before him. The interface displayed his status, but his attention quickly shifted to the newly processed bundle glowing at the front of the screen. Behind it, five or six bundles remained, still being processed.
He decided to absorb the fresh bundle first, willing it forward. Slowly, a small vortex began to form, spinning gently above his head. It was weak but determined, reaching out like a hungry beast. In an instant, the bundle was pulled into the vortex and absorbed through his forehead. A surge of warmth spread through his mind as a torrent of new knowledge flowed into him.
Having absorbed seven bundles since the morning, Nile felt the process growing more fluid with each attempt. Each bundle he integrated seemed to clarify and refine his understanding of cultivation, making the next step easier than the last.
Now it was time to act. Reaching into his pouch, Nile withdrew a thumb-sized red mana stone, its fiery hue glittering in the dim light of the shop. He was about to begin when Jessica's sharp voice interrupted him.
"Nile, stop!" she warned, stepping closer. "Using any attribute mana stone to cultivate is common, yes, but it's far from ideal for beginners. You need an attributeless mana stone. It's much easier to conquer and imprint attributeless mana with your will."
Nile tilted his head, curious. "Why is that?"
Jessica crossed her arms, her tone patient but firm. "Your birth imprint is inherently attributeless. That makes it simpler for you to mark and conquer attributeless mana. Using attributed mana will only complicate things and slow your progress."
Her words made sense, and Nile quickly set the red stone aside. Rising to his feet, he headed toward the shop's mana stone cabinets. Rows of stones sparkled before him, arranged by their attributes—blue for water, green for wind, red for fire, and a mix of others. But the transparent attributeless mana stones were sparse, standing out in their rarity.
Scanning the shelves, Nile's brow furrowed. "Why are there so few attributeless mana stones?" he asked Jessica, who had followed him.
Jessica's expression softened as she replied, "Transparent mana stones are incredibly rare, Nile. Their natural occurrence rate is less than 1%. The shop has clearly been stockpiling them for years to have even 5% density here. Consider yourself lucky."
Nile nodded, selecting a small, transparent stone from the shelf. Its crystalline purity seemed to hum in his palm, a silent promise of the journey ahead.
He returned to his spot, holding the stone with newfound respect. This was his key to progress, and he was determined to make the most of it. With Jessica watching closely,
Nile sat back with the attributeless mana stone in hand, closing his eyes. He took a deep breath, calming his mind as he visualized the ASD screen. The numbers on the display flickered faintly, awaiting his action.
ASD SCREEN DISPLAY:
Unique ID: 2340984712-XG
Mana: 0.01/0.07
Spiritual Energy: 0.1/5.32
Number of Imprints: 0.1/10
Servant Imprints: 2
Imprint Type: Transparent
Attribute: None (Attributeless)
Current Training:
Level: 0
Stage: 0
Focusing deeply, Nile recalled the steps from the knowledge bundles he had absorbed. He concentrated on the stone in his hand, willing his inner vortex to form. Beyond the screen, he could faintly see a pulsating bundle of transparent energy, resisting his pull as if it had a mind of its own.
Nile's will surged, and the vortex within him spun faster, pulling on the bundle. Gradually, the resistance faded, and a shimmering stream of light flowed from the mana stone toward the screen.
The numbers on the screen began to change:
Stored Mana: 0.01... 0.02... 0.03...
The energy continued to flow until the stored mana reached his body's capacity:
Stored Mana: 0.07
Nile opened his eyes, realizing the mana within the ASD had reached its limit. He couldn't store more until the current batch was processed.
Jessica, who had been observing him closely, spoke with a nod of approval. "You must have learned from the knowledge bundles that the ASD can only store mana equal to your body's current capacity. Once this stored mana is processed, and the natural imprint is removed, you can cycle it through your birth imprint to assimilate it into your body. Doing so will completely fill your mana reserve, bringing it to 0.07—your current limit."
She continued, her tone steady but firm. "Once that's done, we'll start physical exercises to use the conquered mana in your body. This will nourish your mana circuits and gradually open all nine circulation paths. When all nine are fully open, you'll reach stage 9 of level 1."
Nile nodded, absorbing her explanation. Jessica added, "For now, let's stop here. We'll wait until the ASD processes and purifies the mana stored within it, removing nature's imprint. Rest for a bit and let the process unfold."
Nile leaned back, glancing at the ASD screen once more, now featuring the new row:
ASD SCREEN DISPLAY (UPDATED):
Unique ID: 2340984712-XG
Mana: 0.01/0.07
Spiritual Energy: 0.1/5.32
Stored Mana: 0.07/0.07
Number of Imprints: 0.1/10
Servant Imprints: 2
Imprint Type: Transparent
Attribute: None (Attributeless)
Current Training:
Level: 0
Stage: 0
He smiled faintly. This was just the beginning, but he was finally taking his first real steps into cultivation.
Nile leaned forward, his mind processing everything he had just learned and experienced. He glanced at the transparent mana stone still resting in his palm. The faint hum of its energy had dimmed after the absorption process, but it still seemed alive, as if waiting for its next use.
Getting up, he walked back toward the cabinet to return the stone. His fingers brushed against the smooth wood of the shelf as he reached for its original spot.
"Don't bother putting it back," Jessica's voice rang out behind him.
Nile froze mid-action and turned toward her, puzzled. "But isn't it stealing if I keep it?" he whispered, lowering his voice as though afraid someone might overhear. "Let me ask Arin first."
Jessica's expression shifted to one of incredulity, her eyebrows raised as if he had just said something ridiculous. "Wasn't using it without asking first also stealing?" she retorted, her voice carrying an almost teasing edge.