Ch. 9 The Real World

Early the next day Ren sped out of bed into the kitchen. Ever since the system appeared and he learned of cultivation that's all he's been able to think about.

Greeting Auntie and Grandma and scarfing down his breakfast he zoomed towards the library.

Lou and Wen looked at each other with their lips curved.

"Sister sister! I'm here early. I'm ready to learn!"

"Why were you not ready to learn and only wanted to play the other day? huh?" Mei gave him a stern look.

"Well.. I want to learn cultivation and not the other boring stuff" said Ren with an awkward smile

"Oh I see, so learning how to read, write and be a model citizen aren't important?" faking a pouty face she replied.

"Ah nono Sister, I will learn those things later. I'm only two and have 3 years left until I get to leave the mountain."

"hmph" Mei Ji turned around and ignored him

"Ok sister I will learn those things as well" Ren said with fake tears in his eyes

"Fine. Brat. I'll inform you about the ranks, power, and some other miscellaneous things about cultivation. Then you will be learning this world's martial artist system. After you reach the 1st stage of qi cultivation you will need to put on an act"

"Cultivation is the act of defying the Heavens. Each stage you pass the more Heaven has their eyes on you. There are 9 stages in qi cultivation, each stage has 9 levels. They are loosely defined as early, mid and late. Early being levels 1-3, Mid is 4-6 and late is 7-9. Typically, cultivators can somewhat fight anyone within the same stage. Small gaps can be made up through skills or battle experience and large gaps can be won by assistive treasures or elemental differences. You will feel instinctual pressure if you're a stage

lower than your opponent.

qi cultivation tiers- each stage has 9 tiers

* (pseudo 1st) body refining (1st tier required to cultivate qi)

* (1st) qi refining

* (2nd) spirit stage

* (3rd) golden core

* (4th) true essence stage

* (5th) nascent soul

* (6th) unity stage(1st tribulation)

* (7th) mortal king(2nd tribulation)

* (8th) mortal monarch(3rd tribulation

* (9th) mortal emperor (4th tribulation

* Immortal ascension(5th tribulation + breaking the mortal shackles)

Body refinement also has 9 stages but instead of having 9 levels it is just separated by early, mid and late levels."

body refinement tiers- each stage has early middle late ranks. 9 tiers.

(no tribulations for body refinement because a sole body refiner cannot break the mortal shackles)

* 1st- comparable to 2nd stage of qi cultivation

* 2nd- comparable to late golden core cultivators

* 3rd- comparable to early nascent soul cultivators

* 4th comparable to late nascent soul/ new unity stage cultivators

* 5th domination anyone under unity stage

* 6th can defend against any mortal kings attacks

* 7th comparable to mid mortal monarchs

* 8th easily fend of any attack from cultivators below mid mortal emperor

* 9th invincible against any cultivators in the mortal realms

"Assistive treasures are not offensive. They are typically 'buffs' or things that resonate with your element. They can give you a special skill while using your element. Your Soul Jade allows you to utilize spirit sense, even though it doesn't actively benefit your combat strength, your spirit sense gives you information. You can see energy flows and sometimes predict a skill or movement before it is used"

"In the cultivation world there's a saying, "Kindness and enmity should be repaid tenfold" it's almost like a golden rule to righteous cultivators, however there are evil cultivators that will do anything to get what they desire"

"I'm going to use my spirit sense to show you a scenario in the cultivation world, this will help you better understand what it's like. You are young and I don't want you to make a mistake before it's too late. Forgive me little Ren.

Mei put him in a trance with her spirit sense. She was fabricating a scene that was truly disturbing.

-------

"Hey, Ye Feng." turning around to see a tall man with a scrawny build waving at me.

"Long time no see Brother Zheng! What are you doing in Floating Forest?" Ye Feng asked

"Oh just trying to get some beast cores so I can ask an alchemist to make me an Amalgamation pill. I'm bordering Unity stage and want to break through smoothly." Brother Zheng replied seemingly anxious

"I see, well if you need help fighting any beasts I am willing." Ye Feng said proudly

"Actually there's this Ice Serpent that I've been scoping out and its Mid Nascent soul stage. I can definitely take it out but I'm worried about the surrounding beasts. If you're up for it I'd appreciate your help." Brother Zheng cupped his fists.

"I'll always help my brother! Show the way!" Ye Feng excitedly said

200m away from the pond they were perched on a branch. The chilling air coming from the lake made one shiver.

Brother Zheng said "The Ice Serpent is about 25m beneath the pond's surface. I've prepared some Fire Barrier Talismans just in case. Take this and use it as you need" handing over the talisman

"We're going to have to bait it out and finish it in one go to not make a large disturbance. I will bait the snake out and you're going to have to attack it the second it leaves the pond. I'm going to attack when you do so we can confuse it. Remember to use the talisman if things go south Brother Ye."

"Yes of course Brother Zhang. Lets pinch this snake" Ye Feng gave a hyped response

Zhang was nearing the edge of the pond. There was no nervousness nor emotion on his face. Absolute calm.

'Alright Brother Ye get ready' Zhang said via voice transmission.

Zhang was at the border of the pond and shot a wind blade into the water. It split the pond in half revealing a 40m Ice Serpent.

KHIIIIIIIII

The Ice Serpent bolted out and immediately turned around.

Ye Feng was face to face with the beast. Cold eyes that had dense killing intent and bloodlust were glaring at him.

'F*ck how did it know i hid my presence. I need to use the talisman'

Ye Feng threw the talisman and saw a flash-

"ARGHHH"

'Fire Barrier talisman? BULLSH*T!! It's a Flame Prison talisman'

"ZHENNNNG YOU LITTLE BASTARD"

"kekeke so how does it feel? To be betrayed by your 'Brother'?" Zhang had a smirk plastered on his face

"I'LL KILL YOU" Ye Feng roared.

"*tsk* No, you're just feeding my pet. See ya never." Zhang flicked his finger and the Ice Serpent tore Ye Feng in half.

-----

"AHHHH MOMMA MOMMA" with a tear stained face and red eyes Ren Ji woke up from the 'bad dream'

"Little Ren, I'm sorry but you had to see it. Cultivators only ever want to benefit themselves. There is no right and wrong, Power determines the rules."

Ren rushed into Mei's arms. "Big sis that guy killed his own brother. why?! How can he do that to his brother? *sniffles*"

"He was a late Nascent soul cultivator and the Amalgamation pill requires an ice beast of the late Nascent soul level. There were holes in Zheng's story but because Ye treated him as a brother he didn't even ask or think twice. This is my lesson for you, believe nobody but yourself. And your mother! Blood runs thicker than water. Your family will never betray you."

Thanks sister. I will remember this forever." still in her embrace Ren looked up at her with an appreciative smile.

"This is just one small lesson and I don't need to make you visualize any more of them." Mei Ji said, brushing his white hair with her hands.

"Mn" Ren nodded