Chapter 20 The Ancient Cultivator Part 2

As Jasper's consciousness faded into the realm of dreams, a different awareness stirred deep within him. Lying dormant at the depths of his soul, an ancient presence watched over Jasper's progress, a silent observer bound to the boy's existence.

This entity was no ordinary spirit; he was a cultivator from a world now far out of his reach, his existence intertwined with Jasper's since the boy's birth. Unlike the martial artists of the Spring Village, he was a practitioner of the ethereal art of Qi cultivation. His knowledge and power far surpassed the limited scope of martial arts known to the village.

This ancient cultivator had remained largely silent, choosing to stay hidden and observe as Jasper navigated the world of martial arts. He marveled at the young boy's progress, his burgeoning talent in martial arts, and his recent breakthrough in controlling two different aura pathways. While Jaspers fast speed largely had to do with him opening up his meridian pathways with spiritual qi, the dual circulation method was a feat that spoke of Jasper's potential, one that the cultivator found commendable.

For the first time in a long while, the cultivator found himself stirring from his silent observation. He noted the changes within Jasper's body, the enhanced aura, and the strength he gained from the beast's blood. Even as a Qi cultivator, he recognized the profound transformation Jasper had undergone.

He was particularly interested in the dual circulation technique that Jasper had mastered. It bore a striking resemblance to a certain Qi cultivation method from his era, a method meant for harmonizing conflicting energies within one's body. This convergence between martial arts and Qi cultivation intrigued him, sparking a renewed interest in Jasper's journey.

With Jasper's entrance into the Martial Hall imminent, the ancient cultivator sensed that it was time for him to intervene more actively in the boy's progress. While he had promised to remain a silent observer, he understood that the path ahead was fraught with challenges that Jasper may not be able to tackle on his own. His ancient wisdom and guidance could be the beacon Jasper needed to navigate these obstacles.

And so, as Jasper slept, the ancient cultivator took a metaphorical step closer to the surface of their shared consciousness, ready to lend his knowledge and wisdom when the time came. However, the method of delivery had to be considered, he still didn't want Jasper to know much about his existence. The path of a martial artist was hard and treacherous, but with an ancient Qi cultivator as his secret ally, Jasper was far from alone.

The ancient cultivator, still deeply concealed within Jasper's consciousness, made a crucial decision. He would employ a strategy seldom used in his world but one that seemed fitting given his peculiar circumstances. He would present himself as a 'system', a non-physical entity designed to aid, guide, and provide for a cultivator.

His choice was deliberate and carefully considered. The system approach would allow him to maintain his anonymity, eliminating any distrust Jasper might harbor against an unknown entity. More importantly, it would provide a structured framework for guiding Jasper's growth as a cultivator, complete with milestones, rewards, and penalties. It was an approach that offered both efficiency and control, one that the ancient cultivator believed would be most beneficial for Jasper's progression.

***

Throughout Jasper's time at the Martial Hall, the ancient cultivator silently observed his progress from the depths of their shared consciousness. Jasper's classes, his training, his interactions with fellow disciples - everything was under the cultivator's watchful eye.

However, much of what he saw did not pique his interest. As a cultivator of Qi who had explored the profundities of the universe, many of the classes Jasper attended seemed mundane and unremarkable. Yet, he found a few lessons stimulating, particularly those relating to medicinal herbs and basic healing techniques. They reminded him of his own early days in cultivation, sparking a sense of nostalgia and deep interest. He also used the classes as a refence for different types of herbs and minerals in this world. To the cultivator, while the materials weren't high quality, they could still be of use.

Nevertheless, the cultivator spent most of his time designing the system. His decision to employ the system approach was largely influenced by the practicality of this method. He realized that he needed to provide guidance to Jasper in a way that would be comprehensive yet unobtrusive, concrete yet flexible. The system, with its structured framework and systematic rewards and penalties, seemed to be the perfect solution.

He envisioned the system as a multi-faceted tool that could adapt to Jasper's needs and progress. At its core, it would be centered around Qi cultivation, drawing heavily from the cultivator's own wealth of knowledge. But it would also incorporate elements of martial arts and other relevant skills that Jasper was learning in the Martial Hall. The system would offer a blend of cultivation techniques, combat strategies, and medicinal recipes, designed to enhance Jasper's strengths and address his weaknesses.

Importantly, the system would be interactive. It would track Jasper's progress, rewarding him when he achieved certain milestones, and offering guidance or penalties as necessary. The cultivator believed this approach would motivate Jasper to push his limits and accelerate his growth as a martial artist and a cultivator.

However, the system also served a secondary purpose - it allowed the ancient cultivator to remain a silent observer while still significantly influencing Jasper's journey. By presenting himself as a 'system', the cultivator could avoid arousing Jasper's suspicion or mistrust, allowing him to guide Jasper more effectively.

As the cultivator worked on perfecting the system, he was acutely aware of the inevitability that Jasper would eventually encounter a danger he couldn't handle on his own. With that in mind, he expedited the completion of the system, striving to ensure that it would be ready to assist Jasper in navigating such unforeseen predicaments. The cultivator recognized that the system wasn't just a guide—it was also a lifeline, a tool to arm Jasper with the necessary means to survive and triumph, and in turn allowing him to survive longer.

***

It didn't take long, just a few months, till Jasper fell into that perilous and defenseless situation. Although he had hoped to have more time to perfect the system, the dire situation left him no choice. If Jasper died then he died too! It was not entirely ideal, but the system was functional enough to be of use. The cultivator knew that now was not the time to be meticulous, not when Jasper's life was hanging in the balance.

With a resolute determination, the ancient cultivator released a surge of energy into the link connecting him to Jasper's meridians. This energy followed the pathway leading to Jasper's mental area, the hub of consciousness within his brain. Like an electrical charge seeking a grounding point, the energy pulsated through Jasper's meridians, converging onto the mental area.

Then, a phenomenon happened. An ethereal interface, invisible to the physical eye, materialized in Jasper's consciousness. It was a sleek design, simple and intuitive belying the intricate and complex design that the ancient cultivator had painstakingly worked on. There it was, the system, a manifestation of ancient knowledge and wisdom woven into the fabric of Jasper's consciousness, ready to aid him in the perilous journey of martial cultivation.

"Now, let's see if this system can help you out, kid," the ancient cultivator murmured to himself, observing the events unfold with bated breath.